Community members, artists and arts-based organizations from across Niagara will explore the links between creative works and creating change at the 2025 Niagara Social Justice Forum.

“Art as Resistance: The Veins of Intersectionality” takes place Saturday, March 29 at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts in downtown St. Catharines.

The annual event, which is planned, organized and hosted by students in the Master of Arts in Social Justice and Equity Studies (SJES) program, features community information booths and a full day of workshops:

• Tatreez workshop with Palestinian artists
• Zine workshop with Ontario Public Institute Research Group Brock
• Sharing circle and drum songs with Willow Arts Community Centre
• Latinx storytelling with keynote speaker B’atz’ Recinos
• Arts-based newcomer support with Bridges Niagara
• “Voices of Identity” with Nicole Joy-Fraser

Keynote speaker Recinos is an award-winning creator, performer and advocate with Maya roots from Iximulew (Guatemala) who has delivered workshops on diversity, inclusion, art and self-care to youth, artists and communities across Ontario.

Organizers for the 2025 Niagara Social Justice Forum include Social Justice and Equity Studies master’s students (from left) Sloane Empke (BA ’23), Khadija Farooq, Emily Mills (BA ’24), Chloe McMurray (BA ’24), Qi Huang and Catherine Hume (BEd ’92). Not shown are Lizzy Anim, Belicia Athanasas, Mackenzie Rockbrune (BA ’22), Jada Shand (BA ’24 ) and Amanda Spear (BA ’20).

Co-organizer Sloane Empke (BA ’23) says the forum is a chance for people to learn more about social justice and intersectionality, in part because of its broad theme.

“Art is so beautifully accessible and it allows folks to engage with topics and themes that may seem a bit daunting or confusing at first,” says Empke. “This year’s theme lends itself to the inclusion of a wide range of workshops and knowledges. A large focus of my research is the diversity of knowledge production and connection between community groups, so I am really looking forward to seeing this connection at the forum.”

Co-organizer Catherine Hume (BEd ’92) says that at a busy time of year, the event offers students a chance to take a few hours to engage with the arts and social justice communities doing important work in Niagara.

“Artists are somehow able to harness expressive energy and channel it into their artistic practices — it’s a kind of magic,” says Hume. “For artist activists, this energy is something that inspires others to keep fighting the good fight in the battle for a peaceful world and the battle for justice and peace and equality. I’m looking forward to watching the artists share that energy with the attendees.”

The Niagara Social Justice Forum has been a regular occurrence since 2007. This year’s forum is sponsored by the Social Justice Research Institute, Brock Human Rights and Equity and the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity and Decolonization (PACHRED).

All are welcome to attend but advance registration is required.