Episode Notes

In this episode, a conversation with Dr. Tina Chen, member of Skate Canada's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee. We talk cultural and systemic change, gender inclusion, combatting anti-Asian and anti-Bthe lack racism, and ethical choreography.

Tina Chen has been named one of Canada’s 100 most powerful women. She is a distinguished professor of History at the University of Manitoba. Her teaching and research interests are in the areas of modern Chinese history, anti-colonial solidarity movements, feminist and socialist projects for social justice, and histories of race and anti-racism. She has long advocated for equity and diversity within academic settings, including the University of Manitoba. In February 2022, she was named the inaugural Executive Lead- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Manitoba. In the skating world, Tina is currently a coach with Skate Winnipeg. As a skater, she was a 3-time competitor at Canadian Championships in pairs (Novice) and dance (Junior), and was Ontario Intercollegiate Champion (with the University of Toronto Varsity Skating Team). She is also the mom of two skaters, so she has really seen the skating world from every angle! Recently, she has been combining her experience advocating for equity with her figure skating experience. She is active in the Figure Skating Diversity and Inclusion Alliance and is also a member of the Skate Canada Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Committee.

Transcripts are available for each episode here

Dr Tina Chen profile at University of Manitoba

Skate Canada EDI Committee and Process:

• Skate Canada Statement on Anti-Racism (June 3, 2020)
• “Figure Skater Asher Hill Sees Hypocrisy in Racial Equality Statements” CBC (June 3, 2020)
• Public Statement on EDI working Group (October 2020)
• Skate Canada 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (October 2022) : Three “Strategic Imperatives” are Skating for Everyone, Skating for Life, Skating to Win
• Skate Canada Trans Inclusion Policy, Adopted 2018
• For Comparison, ISU Transgender Policy, Communication 2422, Aug 2021

Anti-Racism and Ethical Choreography:

• Skate Ukraine “Why Skate Canada has Renamed the Mohawk and Chocktaw” Ivan Danyliuk
• Also useful: Skate Guard Blog: “How the Mohawk Got its Name”
• Conversations in Color: No, I’m Not Michelle Kwan: Being East Asian in Figure Skating (part 1 of 4) Asher and Acacia Hill host conversation w/ Mirai Nigasu, Patrick Chan, Michelle Hong & Tina Chen
• NexxIce performs their 2021/22 program “Mehcinut” music by Jeremy Dutcher; choreography by B Solomon
• The Creative Process: Narrated by B Solomon
• “The Cultural Importance of Papadakis and Cizeron’s waacking rhythm dance at the Olympics” Asher Hill and Dylan Moscovitch interview choreographer Axelle Munezero on That Figure Skating Show
• “Red Nails, Black Skates: Gender, Cash, and Pleasure on and off the Ice” 2012 book by Erica Rand (Professor at Bates College and my skating partner!)

You can reach me with comments or suggestions for topics and people I should talk to, by email at [email protected] or on Instagram and Twitter @futurefspodcast

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