How long is the course?
2 days, 7 hours per day
Lateral Kindness Level 1: Understanding Why
We know you have values. We know that you value respect, love and responsibility. We also know that sometimes, your actions don’t reflect your values. Welcome to the human race.
Sometimes you get triggered, and you lash out at the people close to you. Sometimes you stand by in silence as someone you care about is being mistreated. Sometimes you avoid challenging conversations because you’re afraid.
Why is this? Why do people hurt each other emotionally? Why is it so hard to speak up when you’re faced with lateral violence? How can you manage your fight, flight and freeze responses? What’s the most effective way to respond to lateral violence? What are the unique factors that Indigenous communities face?
This course answers these fundamental questions. It will provide you with the knowledge you need to respond to lateral violence in a way that aligns with your values.
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At a Glance
Get a quick overview of key details, including duration, group size, and your expert facilitators.
What are the class sizes?
In-Person: Maximum of 20 participants
Virtual: Maximum of 12 participants
What are the prerequisites?
No pre-requisites are required
When & how is the training delivered?
Live-facilitated virtual courses available for:
- Western Region (YT; NWT; BC; AB; SK)
- Pacific Time Zone: 8:30am-3:30pm
- Mountain Time Zone: 9:30am-4:30pm
- Central / Eastern Region s (MB; NU; ON; QC)
- Central Time Zone: 8:30am-3:30pm
- Eastern Time Zone: 9:30am-4:30pm
Who facilitates the learning?
Marilyn Jensen, CEO, Lateral Kindness Inc. & Thomas Shepherd, President, Lateral Kindness Inc.
Everyone is expected to follow guidelines to create a safe, authentic and productive learning environment that respects Indigenous traditional values. You will be provided with these guidelines in advance.
key takeaways
By the end of this course you will understand:
The Indigenous cultural context related to lateral violence and kindness
What the words emotional violence, psychological safety, direct aggression, indirect aggression, lateral violence, and lateral kindness mean (including concrete examples).
What the words emotional violence, psychological safety, direct aggression, indirect aggression, lateral violence, and lateral kindness mean (including concrete examples).
How these words relate to the terms workplace violence, harassment and bullying
The psychological and environmental roots of lateral violence
Fight, flight and freeze responses to lateral violence
Evidence-based strategies to overcome fight, flight and freeze states
Prevention – How to develop guidelines to create a safe and productive working group
Intervention – How to respond to lateral violence behaviours with loving strength
What makes us different?
All our courses are facilitated live by people (no self-taught courses from static document)
All our courses are facilitated by two facilitators, one of whom is Indigenous.
Our course sizes are much smaller, so that there is an opportunity for real connection, interaction and practice.
Our courses last two days, providing significant time for learning.
Target audience:
Existing and aspiring leaders (i.e., Chief and Council, Youth Council, Elders Council, General Council, Land Management Board)
Anyone who chairs or facilitates meetings in work, family, volunteer of community settings
People who the community sees taking a more active role preparing for and keeping their gatherings (i.e., community meetings, consultations, assemblies)
Allies of Indigenous people working towards reconciliation
Additional benefits:
Strengths-Based Self-Assessment Tool
Printable Content Cards (key concepts; definitions; messages; data; strategies; sources)
20% discount on Lateral Kindness products sold on our e-store within 10 days of course completion
Graduation Certificate
Bring Kindness to Your Organization