RECIPIENTS OF GRANTS IN SUPPORT
OF SOCIAL JUSTICE LEARNING
2018-2019
Strathcona Founding Cultures Strathcona High School, Edmonton
This program provides a welcoming space for cultural exchanges for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and serves to Indigenize spaces at their school. It utilizes both traditional and contemporary knowledge to develop students’ capacity for leadership skills through leading sharing circles, group facilitation, and event planning. The Founding Cultures program aims to provide a physical space with culturally relevant aids, mentors, food and supplies that can enhance students’ learning growth and achievement.
Kitscoty Elementary Reconciliation Mural Kitscoty Elementary School, Kitscoty
Métis artist, Leah Dorion, will spend a week as an artist-in-residence at Kitscoty Elementary School, painting a mural with the theme of reconciliation and walking both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike through a variety of activities to build empathy and compassion for Indigenous peoples with a focus on reconciliation. This project is critical in the rural Albertan context and will feature an open house to unveil the mural to the public.
Intergenerational Program Sturgeon Heights School, Sturgeon Heights
Students will partner with seniors to foster intergenerational relationship building. Students and seniors will have the opportunity to learn new skills, giving the child and the older adult a sense of purpose. Students will learn how to relate to those older than them, and seniors will be energized through interacting with children.
Online GSA Forum Argyll Centre, Edmonton
An online GSA forum will be created to provide students a safe space to connect, share resources, and build relationships district wide. An online space will help to foster a sense of belonging for LGBTQ students both within their respective schools and within Edmonton. The online forum will include storytelling projects, weekly guests, and large gatherings interspersed throughout the year to celebrate the completion of storytelling projects and connect students with resources in the city.
Diversity Conference Bob Edwards School, Calgary
Students will attend the 15th annual Diversity and Peace Conference, where the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will be commemorated on March 20th. The conference will address issues of racism, bullying, and discrimination, and will promote peace not only as the absence of conflict but as a way of life. Students will have the opportunity to attend three sessions each.
Reconciliation Through Artistic Expression Ochre Park School, Redwater
The school is partnering with the Musee Heritage and Art Gallery of St. Albert to work with each classroom on developing and increasing staff and student foundational knowledge in First Nations, Métis and Inuit history. Students will increase their understanding, and showcase their learning to families and the community.
GSA - Creating Safe Spaces Greystone Centennial Middle School, Spruce Grove
The members of the GSA will create safe spaces for marginalized students by initiating a student-run project to reclaim the word "gay" through the style of a PSA that educates and does not shame. This project will create leadership opportunities, explore different artistic mediums, and educate the community on how they can continue in creating safe spaces for all groups; students will learn how to create and deliver a social justice message in a way that produces empathy, compassion, and perhaps even allies.
Building a "Bee Friendly" Community Beaumont Composite High School, Beaumont
This project will provide students in an urban environment with expertise, education, and community involvement around the concern for shrinking wild bee populations and environmental sustainability in central Alberta. Students will participate in cross-grade student research, public education on wild bees and pesticides, and building a bee habitat ('hotels' and foraging environment).
Called to Serve St. Michael Elementary and Junior High School, Calgary
In support of feeling safe, valued, and connected to their school community, students have the option of participating in a Social Justice class, with a focus on showing kindness. Students will be involved in creating care packages for members of their extended school community, and then engage in reflection about the support they provided and the impacts of helping.
Screaming for Change: The Power of Protest Songs Next Step High School, Sherwood Park
Students worked with a local musician to write and compose a labour rights/protest song to be performed and recorded to share online. This project educated the student population on the importance of workers' rights by using music as a springboard to explore these issues. Listen to the song here!
The Reconciliation Project École Voyageur, Cold Lake
Students will connect with a First Nations community to learn about that specific culture and develop strategies for lifelong cooperation between communities. Students will participate in Orange Shirt Day, a blanket exercise, learning from guest speakers, and meeting with members of the First Nations community.
Community Connection Woodhaven Middle School, Spruce Grove
This program furthers the knowledge, empathy, and ability of students to work towards bettering the lives of others by connecting to and helping community members. Students plan out opportunities to help out in their community, which fosters an understanding of global issues and social injustice. Through this program, students learn about issues such as poverty, homelessness, and human rights infringements.
Chinook Gay Straight Alliance Documentary Project Chinook High School, Lethbridge
The Chinook GSA will film, produce and premiere a documentary which examines the struggles, triumphs and daily lives of LGBTQ+ youth in the unique context of Southern Alberta. The project will develop the students’ interview and curatorial skills and connect students in rural Alberta together by hosting screenings in several communities.