Frequently Asked Questions about
CULTIVATING SAFE SPACES
What does Cultivating Safe Spaces mean?
Cultivating Safe Spaces means a deep awareness, knowledge, reflection, and action about cultivating a safe space for all.
For more details, please see the Cultivating Safe Spaces website
Who is Elaine Alec?
Elaine Alec is from the Syilx and Secwepemc Nations. She is an author, political advisor, women’s advocate and spiritual thought leader and teacher and is a direct descendant of hereditary chiefs, Pelkamulaxw and Soorimpt. In 2022, Elaine Alec developed the Cultivating Safe Spaces (CSS) program and the Train the Trainer program to facilitate the CSS framework.
Is Geraldine allowed to facilitate?
Yes. Alongside the Cultivating Safe Spaces program, Elaine designed the “Train the Trainer” program (which I took in November 2022) so that Indigenous and non-Indigenous facilitators are trained to deliver the content within their area of expertise. What Elaine is trying to say is, “You can do this too” and “I will share everything I’ve learned with you.” And she does.
Why does Geraldine want to facilitate this content?
I have been so impacted by Elaine Alec’s story, her program, and the community of facilitators who have come together. It has changed the relationship I have with myself, my family, community, and the land. The content speaks to me because it is heart-centered, it is the teachings of the lands and peoples on Turtle Island, and it feels familiar - a memory of a time before colonization. As an innovator, facilitator, and consultant; I want to connect Elaine’s teachings to how we approach the non-profit systems that we exist in so that we can move into action and create meaningful change by unlearning colonization.
Is Geraldine appropriating knowledge?
The “Cultivating Safe Spaces” content is a way of feeling, knowing, learning, being, and doing that is directly connected to the people, the ancestors, and the land that you and I are taking up space on. Elaine has shared repeatedly with all of the facilitators that the decolonization framework she is sharing is meant to be shared. We are all vessels for that decolonization framework. You will become that vessel too and we will make meaning together.
What do I need to know?
Talking about cultivating a safe space can trigger a reminder of all the unsafe spaces we exist in. Please remember that we are all responsible for cultivating a safe space (knowing our triggers is one of the ways) within ourselves so that we can cultivate a safe space for each other and the earth.
Who is “Cultivating Safe Spaces” for?
The “Cultivating Safe Spaces” framework is for everyone. If you are working with a vulnerable population, this program is for you. If you are in a position of privilege, this program is for you. If you and your organization are committed to activating equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, reconciliation from the heart, this program is for you. If you are curious to understand the difference between a colonial and decolonized space, this program is for you.
If you are still not sure, please check out Nikki Sanchez’s TEDxSFU talk here.
Safe Spaces, Brave Spaces, Accountable Spaces?
There has been a lot of discussion over the last couple of years about what word to use - “safe spaces”, “brave spaces”, or “accountable spaces”? Safe spaces is often criticized because it doesn’t exist for equity-deserving communities and it is connected to white comfort. Brave spaces are often criticized because it negates the bravery that equity-deserving communities show everyday in addition to the requirement to educate from personal life experiences which is exhausting.
Elise Ahenkorah offers another option which is “accountable spaces” which Elaine Alec’s “Cultivating Safe Spaces” framework is most aligned with. At its core, CSS provides a framework for understanding oneself including one’s triggers, location, story, intentions, responsibilities, and perspective. In addition, CSS provides a framework for agreements to promote inclusion, freedom, validation, and connection for all.
What do you mean by creativity?
Supporting the content of some of the webinars will also be creative prompts because:
creativity is curious
creativity provides our bodies with a pause to process
creativity allows us to move into the most innovative and empathetic places in our brains
creativity allows us to express what we might have difficulty expressing verbally
creativity is an opportunity to explore another language within ourselves
creativity disrupts the status quo
These creative prompts will be an invitation. You can opt in, not, or out.
Do I have to participate in the creative prompts?
These creative prompts will be an invitation. You can opt in, not, or out.
Are there additional resources?
If you are looking for resources before or after attending a webinar, please check out the following: