Our approach
What is exChange?
ExChange is an initiative that aims to break isolation and promote dialogue in. the Montreal/Tiohtià:ke English-speaking 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, organizations, and peoples, with a focus on intergenerational work.
Why do we do it?
Spark moments of dialogue, connection, and queer joy, in trying times.
Fight for human rights and dignity.
Break isolation (English-speaking, 2SLGBTQIA+, generational, etc.).
Fill the gap in English resources and opportunities in Montreal/Tiohtià:ke.
What is our methodology?
Inspired by the 2012 Centre for Social Innovation values-based and inclusive definition:
Social innovation refers to the creation, development, adoption and integration of new and renewed concepts, systems, and practices that put people and planet first.
We aim to be inclusive, holistic and prioritize the needs of people. We use both new and remixed ideas as part of the solution, providing us with ways to draw on our history and to bring this depth of knowledge into our future in new ways.
We emphasize that people develop social innovations through stages (often nonlinear): Ideation, Invention, Adoption, Impact. We aim to create a low barrier of access to participate, intended to foster more inclusive approaches. We argue for prototyping, testing, and cycles of feedback while implementing trauma informed practices.
This project is a social innovation adventure!
This work is done by creating events that focus on the development of relationships through multimodal dialogue and the exchange of knowledge, with a focus on intergenerational work.
1. ExChange Events For Leadership Of 2SLGBTQIA+ Organizations: These events are designed to gather the leadership of various organizations serving English-speaking 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Montreal/Tiohtià:ke for a moment of dialogue and knowledge exchange. This is a response to the needs expressed by these organizations.
2. ExChange 2SLGBTQIA+ Intergenerational Dialogue Through The Arts Events: A response to the need to bridge the gap of various generations of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and communities, honouring the stories of young queer folk and the older generation who paved the way. The goal is to begin building relationships through artmaking and storytelling of the English-speaking 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Montreal/Tiohtià:ke through trans-inclusive and celebratory events. The end goal is to create on-going connections between 2SLGBTQIA+ people, especially since these links are not always present in their biological family structures.
