Equity Informed Basic Mediation Training

Join Sunsong K. Firedancer + Marita DeLeon in a 40-hour virtual zoom training to become an equity-informed certified mediator in the state of Oregon. Mediator certification requirements vary state to state, so we cannot guarantee certification in other states. However, all are welcome and we have had folks join us from all over the U.S. and Canada!Training Dates in 2024:
July 12, 19, 26 + August 2, 9 9am - 5pm PT
OR
November 1, 2, 3 + 9, 10 9am - 5pm PT(breaks included)

What is Equity-Informed Mediation?

Equity-Informed Mediators:sit with the discomfort of conflict and move at the speed of trust;
co-create brave spaces for participants to deepen understanding;
emphasize building trust and connection with participants;
readily identify power dynamics and issues of inequity;
invite participants into analysis of positionality in systems of oppression;
take a stance of pro-partiality to support all parties at the table;
bring their humanity into the mediation space;
lead with curiosity and care.

The Training

This comprehensive professional mediation training is designed for people committed to exploring conflict in their workplaces, organizations, and communities. Alongside up to 24 other learners, you will gain the basic skills needed to become a facilitative mediator, emphasizing the interest-based approach common in community dispute resolution. Unlike most other basic mediation trainings, we will apply a racial equity analysis and keep race and social justice centered throughout our time together. Sunsong & Marita provide days that are filled with time for self-reflection, deep breaths, laughter, meaningful conversations, challenging exercises and helpful roleplays.By the end of the training you will be able to:Facilitate a multi-stage mediation process
Utilize empathy and other active listening skills in all areas of life
Analyze and respond to racial and other power / oppression dynamics
Intervene when racial microaggressions occur in mediation
And much more. . .Originated at Resolutions Northwest in 2020, this training meets the Basic Mediation Curriculum Standard as established by the Administrative Rules for Community Dispute Resolution programs.

Your Trainers!

On the left is Marita (they/them)! Marita is a queer, non-binary, second generation Filipinx Cancer/Leo/Leo who was raised near Seattle. They center equity, laughter, transformation, and kindness in their work and life. Marita has worked primarily in non-profit social service organizations for the past 20 years, with a four year stint as an esthetician and makeup artist. From 2021-2023, Marita served Portland and beyond as the Co-Director of Restorative Justice and Mediation at Resolutions Northwest. They have experienced and witnessed the restorative power of connection, forgiveness, and moving through discomfort to heal harms, and they are energized by helping others in these ways. Marita lives with their partner, Taylor, their three cats, Maple, Bizzy, and Bastet, and finds joy on the climbing wall, on the tennis court, in delicious food, and in bodies of water. They provide restorative justice facilitation, mediation, training, and individual and relationship coaching through their LLC, ur higher selfie.On the right is Sunsong (They/Them)! Sunsong is a transplant to Portland: Born in Ohio and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. They moved to Portland in December of 1995 immediately from their experience attending Oberlin College. They started life in Portland as performer for Imago Theater; and worked in social services with developmentally disabled adults. As a queer polyamorous mixed race intersexed person, they bring both lived experience as well as experience from a background working with Target communities to their work, especially in their recent time as an advocate and case manager for houseless youth. They have assisted and co-led trainings on racial and social justice. Most recently, Sunsong was Governance Director and Co-Director of Mediation at Resolutions Northwest. They continue their work of building bridges between communities through providing mediation services and trainings with The Mediators Collective.

Payment Options

The fee for this 40-hour training is $1,200. There are a limited amount of scholarships and Pay As You're Able spots available. You will have an opportunity to indicate your capacity for full or partial payment at the registration link below. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]