A SAFE Conference Outcome : sTARS Regina Student society
By Shuana Niessen
Photo credit : Shuana Niessen
In October 2014 , 3rd-year education students had the opportunity to attend the SAFE ( Social Justice and Anti-Racist , Anti-Oppressive Forum on Education ) conference , organized by Dr . Michael Cappello , Dr . Valerie Mulholland , Kristina Lee , and Crystal Schmalle . SAFE is a Special Subject Council affiliated with the Saskatchewan Teachers ’ Federation . Its goal is to promote equality and respect for diversity in Saskatchewan . The conference ,
Attendees and presenters of the SAFE conference gather to hear keynote speakers , Dr . Mike Cappello and Dr . Shauneen Pete
held at the University of Regina , emphasized the shared work in anti-racism and anti-oppression in teaching and activism , and ended with meetings “ to imagine and declare ” 1 the paths forward . For an excellent student summary of this conference , see student Cassandra Hanley ' s blog post at http :// bit . ly / 19wXquJ
One of those paths forward was the development of the STARS Regina student society . STARS is an acronym for Student Teachers ’ Anti-Racist / Anti-Oppressive Society . STARS Regina ’ s Vision Statement is as follows :
STARS Regina promotes anti-oppressive education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina . We
1 https :// sites . google . com / site / sasksafe / home / conference
Photo credit : Cassandra Hanley work to understand , identify , and address individual and systematic forms of oppression based on race , gender , sexuality , socio-economic status , religion , age , disability , and other socially constructed categories . As a group , we will analyze the roots of inequality in curriculum , school , and society ; critique norms ; and work to deconstruct our common sense notions of school . Additionally , we work to recognize privilege and power relations and focus on ourselves in relation to others , recognizing that our positionality affects our teaching . We aim to normalize conversations about oppression within the teaching profession and to help our peers to see the importance of antioppressive practices . Finally , we understand that anti-oppressive teaching is not something one can ever achieve ; rather it is an ideal and a goal we must continually work towards . ( See : www . starsregina . ca )
By the end of March , STARS Regina had hosted two events : The Sharing Circle , on January 29 , with facilitators Dr . Sean Lessard and Dr . Michael Cappello , ( attended by approximately 25 people ) and " Let ’ s Talk About Sex ( uality , Gender , and Support in our Schools ), Baby !" with
“ The Sharing Circle ” STARS Regina event guest speakers Professor Claire Carter , University of Regina , Women and Gender Studies , and Leo Keiser , Executive Director of UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity , ( attended by over 70 people ).
“ Let ’ s Talk About Sex ( uality , Gender , and Support in our Schools ), Baby !"” STARS Regina
In her blog about the Sharing Circle , Cassandra Hanley , a member of STARS Regina , writes that one of the purposes of this event was to help people begin to feel comfortable talking about oppression . She recounts the story told to Dr . Sean Lessard by his mentor about the type of shoes worn by the Dalai Lama . The mentor explained the meaning of this story , saying , “ It doesn ’ t matter where we come from , what we do , or even who we know — if we really want to have a conversation with someone , no matter how different their beliefs and values may be from ours , we can always find common ground .” The purpose of the Sharing Circle was achieved for Cassandra who writes that for her “ one of the most powerful aspects [ of the Sharing Circle ] was that it opened up room for conversations to occur .”
STARS Regina ’ s membership is up to 10 , with others expressing interest . To join , students can email starsregina @ gmail . com for information on the next meeting . �
Photo credit : Meagan Dobson
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