Students gather at inclusive leadership conference, embracing diversity and shaping the future

Student Leadership Conference in Thunder Bay Promotes Diversity and Inclusive Environments

Empowering Students and Challenging Social Constructs

121 students from the Lakehead District School Board and the Superior Greenstone District School Board recently gathered in Thunder Bay for a student leadership conference. The two-day summit aimed to recognize biases, challenge social constructs, and promote the creation of respectful and inclusive environments. The students were specially selected to attend and were given the opportunity to share their own experiences at school.

Nicole Morden-Cormier, the director of education for the Superior-Greenstone District School Board, emphasized the importance of empowering students through this conference. She highlighted the need for students to understand the significance of acceptance, inclusivity, and diversity in schools, ensuring that every individual feels a sense of belonging and inclusion.

The Power of Student Voice and Driving Change

The Superior-Greenstone board has been organizing similar conferences in the past, but this year they partnered with the Lakehead Board, focusing specifically on these crucial subjects. Nicole Morden-Cormier stressed the importance of having the student’s voice driving these changes, acknowledging that they are the future of society. By giving students the power and voice to be advocates for change, the conference aims to create a society that is more accepting and inclusive.

Building a Community of Equity and Diversity

The positive impact of the conference was evident as students like Emeraude Hunter, a Grade 12 student and student trustee for the Superior-Greenstone board, expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to share and learn. Hunter noted the openness and engagement of students during breakout sessions, emphasizing the importance of equity and diversity. Notably, high school students were inspired by the openness and sharing of younger elementary school students, highlighting the significance of fostering these values at an early age.

Molly Onchulenko, a Grade 11 student at Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Thunder Bay, highlighted the importance of passing along the knowledge gained at the conference to younger students. Onchulenko emphasized the need for more opportunities for students to learn and build their community, seeking support and ensuring the growth of a society that values equity and inclusivity.

Harmony Movement: Empowering Youth for Social Change

Facilitating the conference is a group called Harmony Movement. Their website describes their mission as providing interactive diversity and equity education programs that empower and inspire youth, educators, and individuals in the social service sector. The programs offered by Harmony Movement aim to develop an equity lens, empathy, respect, and leadership skills, nurturing individuals as leaders for social change.

Overall, the student leadership conference in Thunder Bay serves as a reminder of the importance of creating inclusive environments and empowering students to be advocates for diversity and equity. By recognizing biases, challenging social constructs, and fostering dialogue, students are actively shaping the future of Canadian society.

Keywords: Diversity-inclusive leadership, diversity, shaping the future, conference, students