Testimonials from participants…
Ending Violence Association
of British Columbia
Annual Training Forum- Standing Strong- September 2025
“I enjoyed Angeline as a presenter, the opportunities for interactive participation, and meeting other participants.”
“I appreciated the tone and speed. It was safe, educational and nurturing!”
“I am taking away to take care of myself (heart).”
“Most of this is really about making sure I’m holding myself accountable for my own emotions, actions, words, how I am responding and reacting to others. Coming from a place of love in all we do.”
“I’m taking away that it is okay to be uncomfortable and feel unsafe in certain situations and that we really need to speak up with our friends, colleagues, family with how we may be feeling.”
“I liked the clarity of the way the training was laid out.”
“I found interesting the different types of thinkers/perspectives and I enjoyed the focus on love and also self-care first.”
“I am taking away love at the center, working better with others, discipline as self-work.”
“I learned that small intentional actions like active listening, inclusive language and clear language make a significant difference-where people feel seen and heard.”
“I’m leaving with a stronger commitment to fostering safe spaces where everyone feels valued and supported.”
“I am taking away reflections on my behaviors and reactions to others.”
“Being a safe space within myself to be a safe space for others.”
“I enjoyed the information sharing, holding space for all, well paced speaker (for reflection + processing).”
“I like that this training encourages you to slow down and self reflect. I believe learning happens and deepens through dialogue, small group discussions were really valuable.”
“I enjoyed sharing thoughts and information with other participants.”
“Most interesting was the information of vicarious trauma in a professional setting, I like the handouts and the thought provoking questions.”
“I enjoyed being able to put words to the conversations.”
“I loved the opening words, so many wise words and focus on self regulation.”
“I’m taking away new knowledge on how to integrate skills into practice.”
“The 4 perspectives helped me to understand how a balance of all 4 is beneficial to a team.”
“I enjoyed the visual diagrams and charts and identifying where I identify. I also appreciated the discussion and ability to learn from others.”
“I am taking away how discipline was an enlightening concept. Discipline has always held a negative connotation. Love the idea of discipline as empowerment.”
“I am taking away from this training, reinforcing our efforts at decolonization, ways of thinking and doing differently, and being mindful of others ways of thinking and doing.”
“I enjoyed seeing love being used so freely is so refreshing.”
“I enjoyed the self understanding, when we are safe/feeling safe, we can begin to cultivate safer spaces.”
“I am taking away how to communicate with different perspectives and the need to help put myself in the executive state.”
“I enjoyed that this workshop presenter is Indigenous!”
Conference Agenda
“I’m taking away that “Cultivating Safe Spaces” needs to be in ALL organizations.”
“I am taking away that validation doesn't need proof- that is a form of trust. And that we need to create boundaries for our own thoughts.”
“I really enjoyed people sharing. I will be taking away the spirit of the training and how it has already enlightened my mental load. I will be leaving with the permission to share this knowledge and resource to my loved ones. And even my hated ones! Because everyone should have this.”
“I’m taking away an increased awareness of how I show up, and the importance of understanding the colonial/decolonial lens.”
“I am taking away new terminology to describe pre-existing psychology studies- frameworks and mindfulness techniques.”
“I found the most interesting, the link between colonialism and colonial patterns and fear, anxiety, control, impatience, the rush to produce and consume. Also, the thought provoking observations/comments by participants.”
“Im taking away validation for how myself and my colleagues respect others needs.”
“I am taking away more self awareness.”
“I enjoyed the breakdown of each aspect of spaces and identifying where each person may differ.”
“I enjoyed the ways to question self and our organization.”
“I am taking away understanding how my Action Perspective might feel rushed to others, and that I should be aware of this.”
“I am taking away the ability to recognize which brain state I am in, that drives my behavior.”
“Learning about me more will help me be safer for my clients.”
“I enjoyed the time and framework to consider my ways of showing up and how it differs from others in our organization.”
“I learned that it is okay to take my time to process, it is an asset, just as are the other perspectives. Collaboration is essential.”
“I am taking away lots of amazing resources.”
Indigenous Women Rise Drum Group performed
University of British Columbia -
First Nations House of Learning
“I’m taking away an uplifted spirit and hope for my team and the space to provide and maintain safety.”
“ I am taking away from this workshop, coping mechanisms, types of trauma, resources to recommend to others, trauma response symptoms […]”
“This workshop was amazing. I found it interesting about trauma responses, plus how fast it takes for our brain to move states.”
“You were an excellent facilitator and I learned so much from you :)”
“I’m taking away lots of skills for how to understand how I work best and how others work best. To be patient because people may work in a different way.”
“I enjoyed the group discussion times and when we’d share our thoughts with each other.”
“I enjoyed the most all the imagery and graphics which helps put together thoughts and helped me cultivate an idea for a safer space.”
“Healing comes from taking care of yourself.”
“I’m taking away the importance of holding space for others and to have patience. And to not feel guilty about setting boundaries.”
“I’m taking away knowledge how to take care of myself so that I can also take care of others.”
“The starting to the end was fantastic plus the organization of the whole event.”
“I enjoyed that we were given the steps and tools necessary to navigate each step to Cultivate Safe Spaces.”
“You are amazing at what you do and it’s clear that a lot of work and intention went into this training".”
“The training was informative and made me reflect on understanding myself on a deeper level.”
Indigenous and Black Youth Cultivating Safe Spaces Training
“I most enjoyed learning how to start making a safe space in our own minds and being disciplined in our thought’s. I really appreciate when you sharing teachings with us :)”
“That when I let fear control me, I am repeating internal systems of colonialism, and stopping myself from being a safe space.”
“In order to cultivate a safe space for others you need to cultivate a safe space for yourself.”
“I’m taking away lots of new information to apply within myself.”
“I’m taking away that everything we do must start from within ourselves and for that we need to be in tuned with ourselves.”
“The whole workshop was really interesting. Rich in information!”
“I loved it. I appreciate your time and knowledge.”
“I’m taking away to double think about safety and finding opportunity in solutions that are less favorable.”
“I enjoyed being in a space with Black and Indigenous folks and being able to listen to others.”
“Living with fear in life denies you of life experiences, we have to overcome fear.”
Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) Day 1
“Centering myself in my own power and peace is vital in providing this support for others”
“How we can all benefit from knowing our co-workers perspectives as well as our own.”
“To approach each situation with an awareness of what I'm bringing to it (i.e. my perspective) and how other people may not operate in the same manner.”
“ I enjoyed opportunity for connection with my coworkers.”
Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) Day 2
“The tone set today was a safe space where people could share and connect as not just as employees, but human beings.”
“Understanding that what may be safe for me, may not be safe for others.”
“Keeping self accountable and being aware of how I am a safe space for others”
“ I am leaving here today with more understanding of myself.”
“ I enjoyed the group work, it gave me a different way to think and made me pay attention.”
“Angeline delivered her cultivating safe spaces workshop to students in two undergraduate courses that I teach at the University of British Columbia (UBC), which both deal with difficult and sensitive topics such as colonialism, racism, ableism, and socio-economic issues. Her workshop was excellent in ensuring that every student in classroom is valuable and should be respected, and also responsible for cultivating a safe space. I am glad I had her in my courses early in the term so we can always go back to her teaching in navigating our classroom discussions together. Angeline’s workshops were carefully designed and she prepared her sessions with the specific learning objectives of the courses in mind. She made sure that her teaching was accessible to international students who are still learning English and the presence of students attending class remotely on Zoom were acknowledged. Some of the quotes she shared with us were very powerful and overall her teaching is something students and I could apply in our everyday life beyond the classroom. Angeline was great to work with throughout the process; she was responsive to emails; very prepared when we had planning meeting; sent me her slides beforehand; and arrived in the classrooms early. Students in both courses were engaged with her session and took lots of notes, and some students approached her to ask more questions after class.”
- Dr. Ayaka Yoshimizu
“I really enjoyed the cultural workshops we did. It has made my spirit feel strong to bead and cedar weave and share medicine with Indigenous youth, elders, and aunties. I felt inspired by Angeline [Day]’s “Cultivating Safe Spaces” workshop. Every day I think about what she shared with us, and am slowly beginning to make my mind & body a safe space rooted in love”.
- Indigenous Youth Employment Program Participant
“ I learned how to identify trauma and that everyone is unique.”
“Each person has their own paradigm and skills that can help a team.”
“I learned how it is important to check in with yourself.”
“Its good because it shows how to be respectful and how to act in a work environment.”
Frog Hollow Neighborhood House Staff
“Thank you so much Angeline! I am so thankful for your teachings during the training and really enjoyed it! I have been raving about it all week! Again thank you!”
“ I enjoyed so much! The visuals, the facilitation, the validation, the topics, Learning tips for how to stop the cycles that colonization has created within us. Yay!”
“I like the pace of the workshop and the information is so useful.”
“I enjoyed the connections built and the conversations throughout the day. “
“I learned that in order for me to assist others in cultivating safe spaces I must first cultivate my own safe space within. Cultivating versus creating.”
“I enjoyed being able to get into small groups and discuss safe spaces.”
“It was great I learned some new things and was a good reminder about how to keep a safe space.”
“ I want to always cultivate a safe space and be a safe space.”
Oct. 15th- Indigenous Youth CSS Training
“ I am taking away, new vocabulary, the backbone or knowledge of what is truly Cultivating a Safe Space as well as communal responsibility to do so.”
“The importance of showing up as myself and taking care of her in order to create a safe space.”
“ I’m taking away, why and who I am and why I am the way I am.”
“I’m taking away, how trauma affects myself and others and how to be compassionate to myself and others.”
“ The group work allowed me to practice what we learned in real time.”
“I am taking away that I can cultivate a safe workplace now.”
“That taking care of ourself is much more important than I thought.”
Indigenous Women Rise Society
