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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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