Workshop Facilitation
I have extensive experience facilitating workshops on a variety of topics for diverse audiences. I love the creativity involved in developing and facilitating accessible, engaging, relevant, and inclusive workshops! If you are interested in having me as a workshop facilitator, I will collaborate with you to ensure it suits your needs, audience, and budget. Take a look at the workshop topics below, which can be interwoven together.
Workshop Topics
Anti-Racism
As Angela Davis said, “In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” I believe anti-racism is for everyone. The workshops I facilitate are grounded in intersectionality, anti-colonialism, and critical pedagogy, and tailored for various levels of prior understanding.
Gender Inclusion
Gender inclusion goes beyond using the correct pronouns for trans people. I provide workshops that combine theory and practice to explore concrete ways to support gender diverse individuals.
Mental Health
With formal training as a counsellor, experience as a youth worker, and grounded expertise with personal mental health struggles, I offer workshops on mental health and wellness from a holistic, systemic, and critical perspective. Mental health may be isolating, but it is not an isolated experience.
Textile Arts
I love textiles. I also love sharing this love. I teach workshops on embroidery, crochet, knitting, and weaving, typically with supplies included and no experience necessary.
A selection of workshops and panels I’ve presented:
Yan, M. (2024, March 25). Counselling and working with migrants [Guest Lecture]. University of Victoria, online.
Yan, M. (2023, July 25). Strengths-based approaches when working with youth [Workshop/Presentation]. Threshold Housing Society, online.
Yan, M & Yoon-Potkins, Q. (2023, April 29). Art as community care: Reimagining self-care workshop series for youth [Workshops]. Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops, BC.
Yan, M. (2023, March 14). Professional boundaries [Workshop/Presentation]. Threshold Housing Society, online.
Yan, M. (2023, March 30). Integrating personal and professional ethics [Guest Lecture]. University of Victoria, Victoria, BC.
Yan, M. (2022, October 5). Stitching together: presented by the hold steady field school workshop series [Workshop]. Oaklands Community Centre, Victoria, BC.
Yan, M. (2022, April 19). Saviourism and cultural humility [Workshop/Presentation]. Threshold Housing Society, online.
Yan, M. (2021, October 20). Abolition and Transformative Justice 101 [Workshop/Presentation]. QT2IPOC Dinners, online.
Yan, M. (2021, September 10). Anti-racism inside and outside the therapeutic relationship [Workshop/Presentation]. Alder Graduate Professional School Many Hearts Webinars, online.
Chou, F., Yoon, J.S., Yan, M., & Yoon-Potkins, Q. (2021, March 24). Cultivating growth and solidarity: An anti-racism zine for Asian youth (and adults too!) [Webinar]. School of Child and Youth Care Wellness Webinar Series, online.
Chou, F. & Yan, M. (2020, October 23). Supporting East Asian Canadian youth dealing with anti-Asian racism [Conference Session]. BC School Counsellors Association Conference, online.
Yan, M. (2019, August 6-8). tender textiles: a free three-part workshop series on embroidery, self-care, mental wellness, community, & intersectionality [Workshop]. Upside Teen Centre, Victoria, BC.
Yan, M. (2018, November 22). Sharing good food stories [Talk]. Good Food Summit Conference, Victoria, BC.
Yan, M. (2018, May 25). Equity, diversity, and inclusion at Camosun College [Workshop/Presentation]. Camosun College, Victoria, BC.
Yan, M. (2018, April 8). Asexual health and wellness [Workshop/Presentation]. LGBTQ2SIA+ Youth Sexual Health Symposium, Victoria, BC.
Strudwick, K. & Yan, M. (2018, February 4). Gender diversity in recreation [Workshop]. Gordon Head Recreation Centre, Victoria, BC.
Yan, M. (2018, January 17). Gender diversity workshop for kids [Workshop]. Fairfield Community Centre, Victoria, BC.
Yan, M. (2017, May 6). Young Wing Hay: Disrupting the narrative [Conference Session]. BC Studies Conference, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC.
Tanaka, J., Yan, M., & Sayers, A. (2017, February 4). (Un)settling the land, working for change: New perspectives [Panel Discussion]. Beyond White Supremacy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC.
Feedback from workshop and presentation attendees
"I really enjoyed and valued Macayla. I really liked her presentation style, the calm soft and direct approach she takes. There was a lot of information delivered in a nonjudgmental and direct clear way."
— Anonymous
"I felt that this webinar was very engaging to all of the participants. I enjoyed how Macayla responded individually to each [jamboard] post and perspective with information and/or validation."
— Anonymous
"Well organized, clear and Macayla appeared to speak from a genuine reflexive place. Thank you. When we speak from our authenticity, it creates an atmosphere supporting others to show up as they are."