Sakewew High school concluded its Ally Week Friday, a week of events planned by the school's Gay-Straight Alliance to fight against homophobia, discrimination and bullying.
To Ryan Jimmy, a teacher who helped organize the week, it was an incredible success.
"For me it's a personal achievement and also a professional achievement. It's great to see schools not only just talking about homophobia and discrimination, but actually doing something about it," said Jimmy.
"It's good to see students stepping up and coming together, especially around issues that a lot of people just brush off. It's a success and it's a learning experience for this group of students that's involved."
Kayla Kahpeaysewat, one of the student organizers, was equally enthusiastic.
"I'm really proud of our school, we all worked really hard for this."
Monday, the school had a kickoff presentation outlining the events in the next week and showing what students could do to become an ally. The event also featured video clips to encourage thought about gender issues.
Tuesday, students from the whole school made signs around the theme of "No Hate" which would be carried out the next day. The event was also a contest, as students were encouraged to produce the most creative signs around the theme.
Wednesday saw the GSA and all available students paint each other's faces and walk out of the school proudly bearing the signs that they had made the day before. Along with Reid Stewart, the vice-principal, and Ryan Jimmy, a teacher at the school, the students showed their signs on Territorial Drive and received many enthusiastic honks.
The last two days of Ally week were also busy. The GSA organised a school-wide "Dress to Express" event for Thursday and also went to Saskatoon to see a film at the University of Saskatchewan. "Dress to Express" encouraged all students, teachers, and staff at the school to dress how they felt, regardless of how extreme or demure, colourful or bland, strange or normal. In Saskatoon, the GSA saw a film hosted by the USSU Pride Centre and the Aboriginal Student Centre about a hate-crime victim and also attended a panel. GSA members were given the opportunity to meet other similar groups from around Saskatchewan, and speak at the panel.
To conclude the week, the GSA organised a flash mob for the school which culminated in a meeting for all students to discuss the many issues raised throughout the week.
Though this is the first Ally Week the GSA has hosted, the GSA has been active in North Battleford to promote diversity and eliminate bullying and discrimination. The organization helped to organise a Day of Pink in North Battleford, a day celebrated around the world to end bullying, discrimination and homophobia in schools and communities. The day saw the entire school wearing pink and even City Hall raising a pink flag in support of the cause.
