Inaugural Gender and Sexual Diversity Ed Camp 2017 # GSDcamp held March 7, 2017 at the University of Regina
Jack Saddleback presented " There are No Closets in Tipis," emphasizing the importance of family and community support of diversity.
Hosted by the Faculty of Education UR S. T. A. R. S with Camp fYrefly, fYrefly in Schools, and UR Pride
Jack’ s keynote was followed by two sessions( with six concurrent presentations in each) from Camp fYrefly, UR Pride, TransUmbrella, PFLAG Canada, Gay-Straight Alliance( GSA), a Two-Spirit Panel discussion, and a family story.
Suzy Yim( Lower Left) and Kyla Christianson( Lower Right) coordinators for fYrefly in Schools. Above: Dr. Michael Cappello( UR S. T. A. R. S.) and Jack Saddleback. Far Right: Meagan Dobson( UR S. T. A. R. S.) with GSA presenter Jason Howse.
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GENDER AND SEXUAL DIVERSITY ED CAMP 2017
On March 4, 2017, the UR S. T. A. R. S., UR Pride Centre, Camp fYrefly, and fYrefly in Schools co-hosted the first Gender and Sexual Diversity Ed Camp(# GSDcamp on Twitter) at the University of Regina. The professional development event( using the edcamp model of PD by teachers for teachers) started off with keynote speaker Jack Saddleback.“ Jack is a Cree two-spirit transgender gay man from the Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Alberta.”( University of Saskatchewan, Aboriginal Initiatives)
In his keynote entitled,“ There are no Closets in Tipis,” Jack spoke about the importance of family and community support of diversity for the wellness of diverse individuals. As a genderqueer child, Jack, who was born female, increasingly felt the pressure to fit into the feminine spectrum, but felt at odds with this social expectation. At puberty, when Jack decided to embrace the feminine, he began to suffer from severe depression and isolation and eventually tried to take his own life. But something inside him called out“ No,” so he instead, began looking for help.
When Jack finally decided to tell his family that he was a man, he felt terrified. He feared they would no longer love him, but he needed them to know who he was. Their response was supportive,“ We don’ t know anyone else like you in our family. But we want to help you in any way we can.” They suggested Jack meet with a medicine man who was coming to their community. Jack agreed to this. The medicine man diagnosed him as having two spirits. Jack said,“ I’ m not just gay, Cree or trans. It’ s the inseparability of all those things that I was experiencing.” After the medicine man tried to exercise him, Jack knew he needed to tell his story so that this type of experience wouldn’ t happen to others.( See documentary sexspiritstrength. ca)
Jack said,“ If it wasn’ t for my family and community support, I wouldn’ t be here. Ask yourselves how can I be a good ancestor to those little ones.”
Jack’ s keynote was followed by two sessions( with six concurrent presentations in each) presented by Camp fYrefly, fYrefly in Schools, UR Pride, TransUmbrella, PFLAG Canada, GSA, and a Two-Spirit Panel discussion.
Photos Credit: Shuana Niessen
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