Lori Tutt and Gail Gerwing want everyone to feel included.
ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 the motto at the weekly L.I.F.E. meetings they facilitate for students at St. Patrick High School.
The group, whose name stands for SA国际影视传媒淟ived Inclusion For Everyone,SA国际影视传媒� is aimed at creating a safe space for LGBTQ2+ students and fostering acceptance among everyone in the community.
Since getting off the ground nearly three years ago, it seems to be having an effect.
SA国际影视传媒淲e have somebody whoSA国际影视传媒檚 attending our group regularly now who kind of came to one or two meetings the first year, and then one or two in the second year and now is coming every week,SA国际影视传媒� said Gail Gerwing, a personal counsellor at the high school. SA国际影视传媒淎nd I think that kind of thing speaks volumes really SA国际影视传媒� that itSA国际影视传媒檚 comfortable, itSA国际影视传媒檚 safe.SA国际影视传媒�
L.I.F.E. was formed by a group of like-minded students who came together in March 2015 to pitch their idea to the Yellowknife Catholic school board.
Now, students meet every Monday in the schoolSA国际影视传媒檚 art room to hang out, take part in activities and work on campaigns.
SA国际影视传媒淟ast year it was the HERO campaign,SA国际影视传媒� said Lori Tutt, the schoolSA国际影视传媒檚 religion teacher and religious education coordinator for the Catholic school district. SA国际影视传媒淗ERO stands for Honouring Everyone Regardless of Orientation.SA国际影视传媒�
Students plastered posters all around the school to highlight the negative effects of exclusion as part of the campaign.
They shared statistics about how derogatory slurs impact studentsSA国际影视传媒� attendance and self-esteem, delivered a presentation on inclusivity to their fellow peers and took part in a workshop with the Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife.
Last year, the student group was invited to an NWT conference where they met youth from around the territory and shared how they others could start their own version of L.I.F.E., said Gerwing.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 totally open to every student in the school and we always find that thereSA国际影视传媒檚 allies, friends, supporters,SA国际影视传媒� Tutt said of the group.
This week alone, five new students showed up to their regular meeting, said Gerwing.
While itSA国际影视传媒檚 no secret bullying still exists these days, the L.I.F.E. facilitators are optimistic things are changing at schools like St. PatSA国际影视传媒檚.
SA国际影视传媒淲ith the education and the advocacy,SA国际影视传媒� said Tutt, SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 become a safer and more inclusive space.SA国际影视传媒�
Students are more comfortable joining a group for LGBTQ2+ students, like L.I.F.E., more aware of the consequences of exclusion and more comfortable being who they are, Tutt explained.
SA国际影视传媒淎nd thatSA国际影视传媒檚 really what the original vision of the students was SA国际影视传媒� that place, first of all, to be safe,SA国际影视传媒� said Tutt. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e really proud of the work theySA国际影视传媒檝e done. I certainly think they enrich our lives.SA国际影视传媒�
