Diversity

This past week has re-enforced my love and appreciation for diversity in this city. We are not made up of only one culture , one one belief , only one race or only one gender.

 Last Saturday I attended the Canada 150+ "Peace and Unity Moving Forward"  . This event was hosted by the Central Alberta Refugee Effort and Red Deer Native Friendship Society, it featured a multicultural bazaar which included a craft and bake sale, live entertainment and guest speakers touching on topics such as multiculturalism in Canada, integration and welcoming and inclusive communities. It is a great  partnership between the Red Deer Native Friendship Society and CARE because the Friendship Centre gets a chance to talk about and teach their culture to newcomers to Canada from their perspective and tell their history from their perspective which is really important. When each of the speakers were asked what Canada 150 and how to integrate a culture into a civilisation I heard many time phrases around Family, Love, Celebrate, Peace and Harmony. One of the speakers was a student from LTCHS who came here from Syria with her family. She spoke from the heart about safety and freedom being in Canada. Her stories about her life in Syria were tragic.

I then had the privilege of going to one of my favourite events. The LTCHS DYEversity Relay. To quote Sandre Bevan the coordinator of this event " If you ask anyone what makes Lindsay Thurber unique they will tell you it is that there is a place for everyone in our school.  We want to celebrate and promote this and show everyone that we embrace diversity in all its forms and that it is a critical part of the fabric of our school.  The DYEversity Relay provides our school with a huge opportunity to discover what truly makes us the best school in the city, in the province, in the country." I was able to lead the entire gym with an energetic "Viking Thunder Clap" What a thrill. Throughout the day the students and staff were involved in games , dye throws and just having a good time in the spirit of unity.

Later on that week I was able to be part of a Sharing Circle at the Red Deer Native Friendship Society. In this circle were elders , Red Deer Public staff and other members of the community. The elders talked about their personal stories around the residential schools , other first nations people talked about the impact those schools still had on their families and the healing that still needs to be done. The staff members talked about the need the First Nation , Metis and Inuit students still need in our schools and in our community. Our staff goes above and beyond and it was heart warming to hear their stories of caring. It was a very personal experience and I encourage everyone to get in contact the Native Friendship Society and participate in a sharing circle.

Friday was "Orange Shirt Day" in our district.Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30 is about remembering the residential school experience and the importance of reconciliation. Red Deer Public schools took the Friday as an opportunity to engage students and teach them about residential schools and Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis culture and heritage.Orange Shirt Day started when Phyllis (Jack) Webstad who had her treasured orange shirt taken from her on the her first day at a residential school. Sept. 30 was chosen because that was the day Aboriginal children were rounded up and taken to residential schools.

And today was Culture Days where downtown Red Deer celebrated and showcased a variety of events and information booths.
I support and embrace diversity.We are diversity.