Northwest Maritime Center is committed to being an anti-racist, inclusive organization as a core component of our mission of education and engagement. For too long, the maritime field, as defined by dominant white culture, has upheld racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of marginalization. These elements of maritime culture are rooted in a history of white supremacy, colonialism, and oppression, and erase the experiences of marginalized people, especially Indigenous People. These experiences have been significant and are critical to sustainability and health of the maritime field.

As an organization with access to power and privilege, we have been complicit in allowing these biases to persist, and are taking action to dismantle them. Our communities include people who have experienced exclusion and oppression on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, age, and socio-economic status. Our responsibility as a community organization is to work towards access, inclusion, and belonging for those most marginalized; to do our part in righting historical wrongs and because our mission will be stronger when it celebrates all the voices and experiences of our region.

We commit to:

  • Incorporating antiracism and inclusion into our mission, vision, values, and strategic plan.
  • Examining our policies, practices, and culture to integrate antiracism and inclusion at all levels.
  • Identifying measurable strategies and goals that meet these commitments, and sharing our progress regularly.
  • Investing human and financial resources across the organization to support efforts to become an anti-racist, inclusive organization.
  • Practicing racial equity and social justice within all of our programs and activities, and where we have influence in the maritime field as a whole.
  • Continuing to learn, correct our mistakes when we make them, and update this statement and our commitments over time.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events and activities that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact access@nwmaritime.org.

This statement was developed through an iterative process in 2021 with all NWMC staff and board.