Public Symposium – Anti-Racism Storytelling and Dialogue Rooted in Chinese Wisdom

OCT 04, 2026

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DAY 2 — SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026 • PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM

Writing the Way

Traditional Wisdoms, Identity, and Justice

Date Sunday, October 4, 2026

Time 9:00 AM – 5:45 PM

Location ED 2-115 and ED N2 Foyer (Education North Building), North Campus, University of Alberta, 116 St and 85 Ave NW, Edmonton

Languages English (Mandarin support as needed)

Who Writers, community members, educators, students, artists, cultural leaders, and the public

Admission Free — Pre-registration encouraged via Eventbrite

About This Event

What happens when Daoist thought meets a Western vocabulary of justice? This full-day public symposium opens with that question and stays with it through a keynote, an intercultural panel, two writing workshops, and breakout sessions that turn reflection into action.

Dr. Daniel Fried delivers the keynote, “From Margins to Movement: Eastern Philosophy in a Western World of Anti-Racism,” exploring how Daoism offers alternative strategies for belonging, healing, and resistance in racialized communities. An intercultural panel then brings Filipino, Nigerian, Japanese, and Chinese voices into conversation about what solidarity actually looks like in practice.

The afternoon is hands-on: participants learn to read writers through a Daoist lens, then write with the Dao — practising flow, emotional truth, and the strength carried by restraint, silence, and subtlety. The day closes with a call to action and a networking hour alongside cultural exhibits.

Program Agenda

Time	Session	Details
9:00 – 9:30 AM	Sign-in	Check-in and light refreshments
9:30 – 10:00 AM	Opening Ceremony & Welcome	Land Acknowledgment — Dr. Mila Philipzig, Managing Editor Welcome from ECWC — Dr. Cathy Shi, President, ECWC Welcome from the University of Alberta, Department of East Asian Studies — Dr. Daniel Fried, Chair
10:00 – 10:50 AM	Keynote Speech	“From Margins to Movement: Eastern Philosophy in a Western World of Anti-Racism” How Daoism provides a counterbalance to Western frameworks of justice — alternative strategies for belonging, healing, and resistance in racialized communities — Dr. Daniel Fried
10:50 – 11:05 AM	Break & Refreshments	Networking break with coffee, tea, and light snacks
11:05 AM – 12:00 PM	Intercultural Panel Discussion	“Anti-Racism Across Communities: Shared Struggles, Distinct Voices” Speakers from racialized communities and moderator-led Q&A with the audience — Moderator: Dr. Mila Philipzig — Panelists: Andre Tinio (Filipino), Funke Olokude (Nigerian), Paul Fujishige (Japanese), Jennifer Rice (Chinese), Hon. Nathan Ip, MLA (Chinese)
12:00 – 1:00 PM	Lunch & Cultural Exhibits	Fusion lunch Visual presentation featuring all 27 authors: Images and artwork connected to the anthology — Dr. Joe Wu Exhibition of heritage ancestral objects and wisdom traditions
1:00 – 2:00 PM	Workshop 1: “Understanding Writers Through a Daoist Lens”	Theme: Appreciation and reflection Purpose: Appreciate how writers subtly infuse Daoist themes — non-resistance, quiet strength, nature-rooted identity — into stories of migration, racism, and cultural belonging Key outcomes: Recognize Daoist wisdom in Chinese storytelling, and gain new tools for reading between the lines to identify alternative forms of resistance and resilience — Dr. Jennifer Quist
2:00 – 2:15 PM	Break & Refreshments	Coffee, tea, and light snacks; cultural exhibits
2:15 – 3:15 PM	Workshop 2: “The Way of the Story: Writing with the Dao”	Theme: Writing practice Purpose: Help participants express complex experiences without confrontation, and nurture healing, voice, and identity through natural, intuitive story development Key outcomes: Understand foundational Daoist concepts as tools for writing and self-reflection; practise exercises emphasizing flow, emotional truth, and non-linear narrative; recognize how restraint, silence, and subtlety carry strength — Dr. Daniel Fried
3:15 – 3:30 PM	Session Transition	—
3:30 – 4:30 PM	Call to Action (Breakout Sessions)	Youth Voices & Identity — Jia Jia Yong Healing Across Generations — Dr. Joe Wu Community Advocacy Toolkit — Andre Tinio Group Sharing — Grace Meikle
4:30 – 5:00 PM	Closing Reflections and Ceremony	Special guest and closing speaker — Hon. Nathan Ip, MLA Final thank-you and invitation — Dr. Cathy Shi
5:00 – 5:45 PM	Networking & Refreshments	Share stories, exchange ideas, build relationships, and explore future collaboration Engage with fellow writers, artists, and community members Explore the cultural exhibitions

Also in This Series

October 3–4, 2026 • Edmonton, Alberta

Event 1 — Reflective Retreat: Stillness and Soft Power

Saturday, October 3, 2026, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM • Queen Elizabeth II Building (Second Floor)

Event 2 — Book Launch Celebration: We Are Water and Light

Saturday, October 3, 2026, 4:00–6:00 PM • Queen Elizabeth II Building (Second Floor)

Presented by Edmonton Chinese Writing Club | Funded by the City of Edmonton Anti-Racism Grant Program