Group shot of attendees and volunteers at the end of Civic Spark 2025!

Khasir Hean hosts the Technologists for Democracy unconference session.

We hosted a session at #CivicSpark last weekend and had a great time!

#CivicTech #Toronto
@civictechto.bsky.social @khasir.bsky.social

#civicspark was a super great conference! Getting to chat up some of the ex-18F folks was a highlight, I'm now even more pissed off that the Trump administration shitcanned Direct File.

“All of us here are about a government that works for all, and that’s not a left/right issue” #civicspark

Polis

New statements are coming in for you to vote on. pol.is/3smctymsxs Then Pol.is will measure the hidden consensus. #CivicSpark

Hope you all are having great time with the folks at @1rg.space!

h/t @civictechto.bsky.social @uoftcities.bsky.social #CivicSpark

Polis

Now is your chance to see for yourself how AI can assist in insuring your matters. Follow this link pol.is/3smctymsxs to join the conversation and help shape the collective picture. The more perspectives, the sharper the insight. #CivicSpark

Big congrats to Toronto's civic tech community for a decade of dedicated capacity-building, organizing + building. Was glad to be at #CivicSpark for *most* of today - offered a keynote on civic tech + sovereignty, and moderated an all-star panel of civic technologists. Then went to party w/ my son.

Don’t forget, if you need a moment to recharge in peace away from all the excitement, Room 380 is available with puzzles and relevant reading material. #CivicSpark

In a creative block? Ali and Zam want to talk about it at #CivicSpark unconfernce edition.

The truth is, you only fail when you stop trying. #CivicSpark

Let’s talk about Operationalizing AI and Democracy. #CivicSpark

Going into the second half of the event, this is a good time to think about what YOU would like to facilitate and participate in for the Unconference tomorrow. #CivicSpark

Bike Brigade origin story; pandemic, willing people, bikes, a bespoke app and the rest is herstory #CivicSpark #mutualaid

Andrew Do is presenting at #CivicSpark Stage 2. But why choose Participant Advisory Councils?

“You have to create ways for people to participate even if they don’t believe the future is possible.” - Victor Udoewa #civicspark

We are “Walking backwards into our future … towards a precolonial conviviality” - Victor Udoewa #civicspark

“With an ethic of hopelessness we don’t do what we do because the outcomes are assured but because that’s what dignity looks like, it’s what love looks like” - Victor Udoewa #civicspark

“Social justice work is like being a virus in a body of injustice that’s constantly trying to get back to homeostasis” - Victor Udoewa #civicspark

We’re adding “The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America” by Richard Rothstein to our reading list. Be sure to tag #CivicSpark if you come across any more book recommendations this weekend.

Indigenous epistemology is all about ideas forming through the formation of relationships. An idea cannot be taken out of its relational context and still maintain its shape … it is not possible to know exactly both the context and definition of an idea at the same time. The closer you get to defining an idea the more it loses its context. Conversely, the more an idea is put into context the more it loses its specific definition.

Indigenous epistemology is all about fitures forming through the formation of relationships. A future cannot be taken out of its relational context and still maintain its shape … it is not possible to know exactly both the context and definition of a future at the same time. The closer you get to defining a future the more it loses its context. Conversely, the more a future is put into context the more it loses its specific definition.

Oh.

OH. I will not live long enough to ever stop thinking about this. #civicspark

Heisenberg’s ideation principle? 🤣

So excited for our @mapletestimony.bsky.social project to present at #CivicSpark! Check it out!

“How to make a culture of repair? Show what’s broken” - Anibal Davila at #civicspark

Today’s the day!
Welcome to #CivicSpark 2025.
First stop by to say hi to our registration team Noami, John, and Ben. Then help yourself to breakfast. ☕️

@biancawylie.com opening #civicspark with the real talk; respecting boundaries, the importance of having hard political conversations, and *humility* (such a beautiful reminder in this time of hubris)

Yay Rachel and Max! Looking forward to hearing you on Saturday #civicspark