Lateral Kindness

Understanding and Healing from Lateral Violence

Lateral violence can damage trust, relationships, communication, safety, and community well-being. Rooted in experiences of oppression, colonization, intergenerational trauma, racism, and disconnection, these behaviours often show up through gossip, exclusion, blame, hostility, undermining, and other harmful patterns. This course creates space for participants to explore the roots and impacts of lateral violence while building greater awareness, accountability, healthier boundaries, and practical approaches for fostering lateral kindness and stronger relationships.

Course developed and owned by Tanya Clarke-Marinelli / TC Training Services.

A Relational and Community-Centered Approach

This training recognizes that lateral violence does not happen in isolation. Harmful behaviours are often connected to broader experiences of trauma, oppression, disconnection, and systemic harm.

Participants are encouraged to explore these realities with honesty, reflection, accountability, and compassion while building practical tools for fostering healthier relationships, stronger communication, and greater social harmony.

When you're ready, here's how to join us:

About This Course

The workshop aims to examine how Indigenous people are affected by workplace violence. It is imperative to distinguish between workplace bullying and lateral violence because Indigenous
people tend not to abuse their people like their employers do. Many factors contribute to the abuse cycle, including colonization, oppression, intergenerational trauma, racism, and discrimination.
Understanding the underlying causes of workplace violence is essential to prevent it and ensure the safety of Indigenous people. It is critical to highlight the distinct forms of violence experienced by Indigenous people and to recognize the systemic factors contributing to this vicious cycle. How
does Lateral Violence affect Indigenous people? What are the behaviours linked to Lateral Violence? Where does Lateral Violence happen? Why does Lateral Violence happen?

Course Objectives

• In this workshop, participants will:
   Adapt a decolonized approach to lateral violence in the workplace.
• Describe the essential characteristics of lateral violence.
• Identify specific behaviours that result in laterally violent behaviour.
• Examine why we engage in lateral violence and where this behaviour has been learned.
• Explore how lateral violence has affected each individual in their communities and
  workplaces.
• Establish healthy boundaries, identify lateral violence cycles, and heal from them.
• Redirecting lateral violence to lateral kindness.

 Here’s what the learning experience looks like:
• A calm, supportive environment
• Short teaching segments with practical examples
• Time to reflect on your own real-life situations
• Opportunities to practice new tools in low-pressure ways
• Space for questions, discussion, and shared learning

You won’t be asked to perform or share anything you’re not comfortable sharing. The focus is on giving you realistic tools that you can carry back into your everyday conversations.

About Mediation Services

Mediation Services is a community-based charity in Winnipeg with over 45 years of experience helping individuals, workplaces, and families navigate conflict.

All revenue from training is reinvested into accessible community programs, making it possible for more people to receive support when they need it most.

Our approach is relational, trauma-informed, and grounded in real-world experience.

When you join us for training, you’re also supporting conflict resolution resources for the broader community.