It stands for stands for Indigenization, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility.
Kingston has a better IIDEA.
In Kingston, IIDEA stands for Indigenization, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. It's a relatively new initiative to help make the City a more welcoming place. The department's manager Vanessa Mensah explains why and how it started .
Vanessa said her work started internally to ensure City staff and leaders value the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual and group brings. Working with the public involves first acknowledging that the City can't do it alone.
Vanessa's work is much more than just welcoming newcomers to the city. This year, the City's annual celebration's name was changed from Newcomers Welcome Day to Welcome to Kingston Day. 22 community and government services participated in the New to Kingston Fair at Springer Market Square. Vanessa notes the diversity in the City is growing
Vanessa herself has experienced this growth. She says when she first moved to the City 10 years ago from Toronto, she returned to the GTA almost every other weekend to get the sense of community she missed along with her favourite foods. Now she finds she no longer has to make that trip as often as Kingston has everything she wants.
For more information on the City's work check out:
cityofkingston.ca/council-and-city-administration/indigenization-inclusion-diversity-equity-and-accessibility-iidea
www.cityofkingston.ca/community-supports/newcomers
Welcome to Kingston!
Story by Brian Turner
