GAMERella is dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive environment at both our online and offline jams.

This means creating an environment where people who are typically excluded from or marginalized in game-related or academic spaces feel welcome and respected. We encourage all participants to work together to prevent or reduce harm, particularly for those who are often the targets of violence and harassment, and ensure that marginalized individuals are not being pushed out of the space.

It is foundational to us that you feel welcomed and that we create an environment for exchange that leaves participants feeling respected. The most important values we ask participants to hold during the event are: Inclusivity & Solidarity, Communication & Compassion, Accountability and Respect.

Inclusivity & Solidarity

We stand together with the most vulnerable members of our community, and determine the nature of that community as a group. We welcome people of diverse backgrounds and experiences, and make space for the many intersectionalities that our members and guests bring to the table.

Communication & Compassion

The GAMERella community relies on open and considerate communication. This means giving each other the benefit of the doubt and acting in good faith, while also expressing our ideas with their impact in mind.

Accountability & Respect

We expect our members to act in good faith, respect each other’s boundaries, and take ownership of their actions. Mistakes are bound to happen, but they can help us grow and better ourselves if we take them as opportunities to learn.

Health & Safety

All in-person participants are encouraged to wear a surgical or higher quality mask. KN94 masks will be provided free of charge to all participants. At GAMERella, we want to continue to exercise caution, approaching public health measures from a place of mutual-care and in ways that ensure the wellbeing of all our participants. Our location is very well ventilated. But we are also amplifying ventilation with a large HEPA air filter. Furthermore, please ensure that you wipe down your work-space after use using the cleaning supplies we have provided. If you have COVID symptoms leading up to/during the jam, or test positive, please remain/return home and immediately notify the organizers. Thank you!

Helpful Contacts

GAMERella Organizers – Gina Hara (gina@gamerella.ca), Courtney Blamey (courtney@gamerella.com), Owen Hellum (owen@gamerella.ca)
Concordia University Campus Security – 514-848-3717 (Dial 1 for urgent situations, dial 2 for non-urgent situations)
Montreal sexual assault hot line – 514-398-8500 (sacomss.org)
Montreal emergency and non-emergency medical – 911
Montreal taxi company – Diamond, 514-273-6331

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge that the GAMERella main jam site and in-person workshop locations are located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montréal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.

This Territorial Acknowledgement and resources were created by Concordia University’s Indigenous Directions Leadership Group (2017). To read the entire Territorial Acknowledgement and learn more about why it was written this way, please visit https://www.concordia.ca/indigenous/resources/territorial-acknowledgement.html.