Ethnocultural Support
Services

Ethnocultural Support Services (ESS) is a USC-funded student advocacy team highlighting issues surrounding ethno-cultural equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our goal is to empower students through community enhancement, education and advocacy, as well as by celebrating the myriad of cultures being represented on Western’s campus. Our team works tirelessly to ensure that the student community is safe, diversely represented, and cherishes Black, Indigenous & Students of Colour, along with all of their intersectionalities.

Ethnocultural Logo

About us

Resource List

BIPOC Voices

Rachel Elizabeth Cargle

Educator with regular posts about anti-racism and wellness (especially for BIPOC) as well as a separate project/digital anti-racism course titled The Great Unlearn.

Dr. Jacqui W

Indigenous medicine maker sharing her knowledge and thoughts on healing, land, and relationship with self.

CBC Indigenous

Features news relevant to Indigenous peoples in Canada as well as features the stories of various Indigenous individuals/communities.

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson: Islands of Decolonial Love: Stories and Songs

A collection of short stories exploring the lives of contemporary Indigenous peoples and communities, particularly those of the author’s own Nishnaabeg nation.

Islands of Decolonial Love

Richard Wagamese: Indian Horse

Fictional story about the impact of residential schools in Canada on families and Indigenous cultures. Though the story is fictional, the author took great care in ensuring that the novel accurately reflects the experience of Indigenous peoples and families.

Desmond Cole: The Skin We’re In

A blend of memoir and essay to capture the past and present of white supremacy and anti-Blackness in Canada.

Momentum

Chevon Drew & Hiba Elyass: Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast

Podcast features movement voices, stories, and strategies for racial justice.

Andrew Ti & Tawny Newsome: Yo, Is This Racist?

Weekly podcast in which hosts and guests respond to fan-submitted voicemails and emails asking whether or not something is racist.

Is this racist

Sahaj Kohli

Mental health activist creating a community for children of immigrants. Releases a monthly newsletter with tips and events.

Maria Qamar

Mental health activist creating a community for children of immigrants. Releases a monthly newsletter with tips and events.

Trust no aunty
Butter Chicken Podcast

DJ Sharad and DJ Juicy

Features stories of South Asian individuals who are impacting Desi culture and society as well as thought-provoking conversation.

Adriana Alejandre

Has a weekly podcast that discusses mental health topics related to Latinas, Latinos, and Latinx individuals in order to demystify myths and diagnoses. Also offers support to clients seeking individual counseling and providers.

Thi Bui

Thi Bui

Illustrated memoir about a Vietnamese family and their experience of immigration, displacement, and the relationship between parent and child.

Ricepaper Magazine

Canadian magazine showcasing Asian literature, culture, and arts.

Ricepaper Magazine

Financial Support

Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter Canada

The Canadian chapter of the well known Black Lives Matter Group.

Black Legal Action Center

Non-profit legal clinic that provides legal services for underprivileged black residents of Ontario.

Black Youth Helpline

Support line for black youth in Canada with a focus on psychological support, educational resources, and community development

Indspire

Fund dedicated towards supporting the educational attainment of Indigenous Canadians through grants and bursaries.

Native Women’s Association of Canada

Non-profit to promote the socio-economic development of native women in Canada.

Legal Education and Action Fund

Following the murder of Inuit university student Loretta Saunders in 2014, this fund was created to support legal advocacy and research against violence towards indigenous women in Canada.

Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals

Non-for profit devoted to the advancement of Black financial professionals in Toronto.

Toronto Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Advocacy and lobbying group aimed at supporting professionals from Latin America.

Urban Alliance on Race Relations

Advocacy group aimed at dismantling systematic racism in Canada.

Hello Success

Digitally-based business consultancy firm designed to help self employed and small businesses.

Black Sun Comics

London based comic featuring a black superhero, meant to inspire black youth in Canada.

Willym.ca

Black-owned insurance agency.

United Kutz

Barber shop in London.

Ox and Bow

Barber shop in London.

Lakin Afolabi Law

Black-owned criminal defence service owned by ESS friend Afolabi.

TG’s Addis Abba Restaurant

Ethiopian restaurant.

Vas Cuisine

Nigerian restaurant.

"How To" Guides

TV Series and Movies

13th (Ava DuVernay) – Netflix

American Son (Kenny Leon) – Netflix

Black Power Mixtape:1967-1975 – Available to rent

Blindspotting (Carlos López Estrada) – Huhu with Cinemax or available to rent

Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu – Available to rent

Dear White People (Justin Simien) – Netflix

Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) – Available to rent

I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin) – Available to rent or on Kanopy

If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) – Hulu

Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton) – Available to rent for free in June in the U.S.

King in the Wilderness – HBO

See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) – Netflix

Selma (Ava DuVernay) – Available to rent

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution – Available to rent

The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) – Available to rent

When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) – Netflix

On-Campus Resources

Black Students Association

Aims at fostering community ties within black students at Western and provide a safer space to black students .

Email: blackstudents.club@westernusc.ca

Bangladeshi Students’ Association

A cultural club for Bangladeshis and anyone interested in Bengali Culture.
Email: bangladeshistudents.club@westernusa.ca

Caisa

Is a multicultural club that prides itself on social activities, community involvement, and academic balance.
Email: caisa.club@westernusc.ca

Canadian-Italian Awareness Organization

Aims to explore the Italian culture together with Western students and bring a little piece of Italy to the Western Community.
Email: ciao.club@westernusa.ca

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

Aims to promote justice, development and peace within the MENA region (Middle East, North Africa), and here at home in Canada.
Email: cjpme.club@westernusc.ca

Caribbean Students Association

The Caribbean Students’ Organization at Western University provides a home away from home for those from the Caribbean, as well as a link to your roots for those who have a Caribbean background
Email: cso.club@westernusc.ca

Chinese Christian Club

A Christian fellowship for Mandarin and Cantonese speaking students at the University of Western Ontario
Email: chinesechristian.club@westernusc.ca

Chinese Cultural Games

Dedicated in promoting the Chinese culture through various social and entertainment activities, spreading the understanding and awareness across the Western University and the London community
Email: ccgc.club@westernusc.ca

Chinese Students Association

CSA is a close-knit family that helps everyone meet people with similar interests, whether it be eating, watching movies, playing sports, or taking photos.
Email: csa.club@westernusc.ca

Croatian Club

Promotes Croatian identity, culture, and language to all of those who are interested
Email: croatian.club@westernusc.ca

French Club

Aims to promote the French language and Francophone cultures through fun social events, conversation hours, newsletters, academic support and more.
Email: french.club@westernusc.ca

German Club

Promotes the language and culture of German-speaking countries.
Email: german.club@westernusc.ca

Gujarati Students Association

Strives to promote Gujarati culture for both the students and faculty of Western University.
Email: gujaratistudents.club@westernusc.ca

The Hellenic Socieity

Designed to allow all students to gather and enrich their knowledge of the Hellenic Culture, music, and customs
Email: hellenic.club@westernusc.ca

Indigenous Students Association

Aims to maintain a sense of community among their peers and across campus while also attempting to provide programming, events, and workshops in order to educate Western’s Campus about Indigenous peoples, their nations/tribes and their distinct cultures alongside current issues involving Indigenous peoples presently.
Email: indigenousstudents.club@westernusc.ca

Iranian Students Association

WISA is a cultural and social organization devoted to promoting the cultural and social values of the Iranian community within Western University.
Email: iranianstudent.club@westernusc.ca

Israel on Campus

Is a pluralistic organization catering to the different ideas and understandings of Israeli life.
Email: isrealoncampus.club@westernusc.ca

Japanese Students Association

Connect with Japanese exchange & international students, and other Western students interested in Japanese culture, language & style!
Email: japanesestudent.club@westernusc.ca

Korean Christian Fellowship

Korean Christian Fellowship is a religious student organization at Western University.
Email:  kcf.club@westernusc.ca

Korean Students Association

Raises cultural awareness and promotes Korean culture on Western’s campus.
Email: koreanstudents.club@westernusc.ca

London Chinese Catholic Community

LCCC follows the Catholic mission of evangelization and outreach to support the Chinese Catholics on campus.
Email: lccc.club@westernusc.ca

Pakastani Students Association

Coordinates educational and social activities, which promote cross-cultural understanding and international awareness.
Email: pakistanistudents.club@westernusc.ca

Palestinian Culture Club

Aims to create a club which is recognized for its ability to represent Palestinian culture in a way that is welcoming of diversity and promotion of unity.
Email: palestinian.club@westernusc.ca

Polish Students Union

Cultivates the Polish culture and connects the Polish community with meaningful and fun social events.
Email: polishstudents.club@westernusc.ca

Punjabi Association

A cultural club representing the Punjabi culture here at Western.
Email: punjabi.club@westernusc.ca

Romanian Students Association

Provides students with the opportunity to connect with others sharing similar roots or interests in Romanian culture and customs.
Email: romanianstudents.club@westernusc.ca

The Spanish and Latin Student Association (SALSA)

The Spanish and Latin Student Association combines dance, food and entertainment through cultural and social events to bring together the Latin American community within Western.
Email: salsa.club@westernusc.ca

Serbian Society

The objective of the UWO Serbian Society is to create a community in which students can connect through Serbian culture and where Serbian culture can be enjoyed and explored in a fun and social way.
Email: serbian.club@westernusc.ca

Sri Lanken Students Alliance

SLSA is a cultural club dedicated to educating both Western and the London community about the unique history and diverse cultures of Sri Lanka.
Email: slsa.club@westernusc.ca

Taiwanese Association at Western

It’s a great place to come and meet some new and exciting people, eat delicious Taiwanese food, drink bubble tea, play games as well as learn about the culture of Taiwan!
Email: taiwanese.club@westernusc.ca

Tamil Students Association

We embrace the culture of our fellow Tamil students and bring this community together through social activities, volunteer opportunities and traditional events.
Email: tsaaw.club@westernusc.ca

Ukrainian Students Association

Meet other Ukrainians that attend the University of Western Ontario and be a part of London’s Ukrainian community. Email: ukrainianstudents.club@westernusc.ca

Vietnamese Students’ Association

The Vietnamese Students’ Association is an organization created to promote Vietnamese Culture, to develop social networks and to strengthen the relationship between the Vietnamese community at the University of Western Ontario and the Vietnamese community of London.
Email: vietnamesestudents.club@westernusc.ca

Western Hong Kong Student Association

Desires to gather and unite all Cantonese speakers at Western
Email: hongkong.club@westernusc.ca

Western Indo-Canadian Students Association

Provides cultural, social,academic, and philanthropic events for students Indian students to experience culture and family away from home. .
Email: wicsa.club@westernusc.ca

Western Ontario Organizations of Filipinos (WOOF) 

Club is based on four pillars: ARTS, CULTURE, COMMUNITY, AND CHARITY. Whether you are Filipino or not, we welcome you with open arms.
Email: woof.club@westernusc.ca

Western University Lebanese Student Association

The club aims to promote and educate the student body about the Lebanese society and culture.
Email: lebanese.club@westernusc.ca

Petitions

Request a Consultation Regarding Harassment or Discrimination

Equity & Human Rights Services (EHRS) provides consultation (information and advice) on the University’s policies, procedures and/or collective agreement articles related to discrimination and harassment.

If you have experienced, witnessed or been told about behavior that may relate to discrimination and/or harassment you may request a confidential consultation with Equity & Human Rights Services.

To request a consultation regarding harassment or discrimination, please email equity@uwo.ca or call at 519-661-2111 ext. 83334 and include the following:

Your name
Your contact information (i.e., email or phone number)
A brief overview of your concerns
EHRS will normally respond to requests within 48 hours (2 working days).

EHRS is not an emergency service. In the case of an emergency, please contact Campus Police at x83300.

All communications and information will be maintained as per the practices of Equity & Human Rights Services, including confidentiality and file retention.

Contact

Email

For any questions or concerns please contact Adje Eversley at ethnocultural@westernusc.ca

Location

UCC, Rm 258

Directions: We are located on the Western University campus, at the University Community Centre (UCC), in Room 258. We are tucked away in the back of the UCC, but don’t let that stop you from coming in to say hi! Once you are on the second floor of the UCC, go towards the hallway in front of the Student Success Centre, around the corner past the Gazette and CHRW office, and we’re right next to the Peer Support Centre (Rm 256).
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