Virtual Pride Kick Off — opening remarks
June 1, 2021
Hello and welcome. Thank you for joining us today for the 2021 Virtual Pride Kick Off, hosted by Positive Space for the university community.
My name is Dan Cantiller, and my pronouns are he/him. I am an out and proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. I have been a part of the university community here since 2012, and currently work at the Ted Rogers School of Management as a Decision Support Analyst. I have been involved and volunteering with Positive Space for many years. Positive Space is a community network for staff and faculty employed at the University, representing and supporting our communities of diverse sexual and gender identities and expressions. Though we as a community network are passionate about sharing education and facilitating community building opportunities, such as for Pride Month and Trans Awareness Month, this work is currently entirely volunteer-run and a labour of love.
Before proceeding further with remarks for today, I will share a Land Acknowledgement. Toronto is in Treaty 13 territory that is also covered by the Dish With One Spoon wampum agreement between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas, and Haudenosaunee, binding them to protect the land (Aboriginal Education Council, n.d.). I also acknowledge this land as the homeland of the Chippewa and Wendat (City of Toronto, 2021). I…
