One of the Ridgeway PAC’s guiding principles is to “create an environment where all are welcome, regardless of race, colour, religion, politics, family status, gender, sexual orientation, or physical or mental ability.” As a PAC, we stand behind the Black Lives Matter movement and against all forms of racism, prejudice, discrimination, and inequity.

This movement challenges us all to have conversations around race and reconciliation that are important in every community, including right here in North Vancouver. The Ridgeway PAC would like to prioritize a parent education night focused on Black Lives Matter in 2020 / 2021. This night will be in addition to the postponed Blanket Exercise meant to bring awareness to the history of the indigenous people in Canada.

Many students are already aware of Black Lives Matter and the protests happening around the world. We offer the following resources as a start to acknowledge and engage with the topic of race in a Global context as well as specific to Canada and Vancouver.

Books for Primary Students

  • “Mixed Me!” by Taye Diggs
  • “We’re All Wonders” by R. J. Palacio
  • “The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson
  • “I Am Enough” by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo
  • “All Because You Matter” by Tami Charles
  • “Sulwe” by Lupita Nyong’o
  • “M is for Melanin” by Tiffany Rose
  • “Happy in Our Skin” by Fran Manushkin
  • “I’m Gonna Push Through!” by Jasmyn Wright
  • “IntersectionAllies: We Make Room for All” by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, Carolyn Choi
  • “Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness” by Anastasia Higganbotham

Books for Intermediate Students

  • “The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson
  • “Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly
  • “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson
  • “I Am Every Good Thing” by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James
  • “I Have the Right to Be a Child” by Alain Serres

Books for Parents

  • “Me And White Supremacy” by Layla Saad and Robin DiAngelo
  • “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for People to Talk About Racism” by Robin DiAngelo
  • “How to Be An Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi
  • “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo
  • “21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act” by Bob Joseph
  • “Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present” by Robyn Maynard
  • “The Skin We’re In” by Desmond Cole

The Vancouver Public Library has many other great book suggestions – several with unlimited eBook downloads.

Videos & Documentaries

Websites