Lori Tutt and Gail Gerwing want everyone to feel included.
That’s the motto at the weekly L.I.F.E. meetings they facilitate for students at St. Patrick High School.
The group, whose name stands for “Lived Inclusion For Everyone,” is aimed at creating a safe space for LGBTQ2+ students and fostering acceptance among everyone in the community.
Since getting off the ground nearly three years ago, it seems to be having an effect.
“We have somebody who’s attending our group regularly now who kind of came to one or two meetings the first year, and then one or two in the second year and now is coming every week,” said Gail Gerwing, a personal counsellor at the high school. “And I think that kind of thing speaks volumes really – that it’s comfortable, it’s safe.”
L.I.F.E. was formed by a group of like-minded students who came together in March 2015 to pitch their idea to the Yellowknife Catholic school board.
Now, students meet every Monday in the school’s art room to hang out, take part in activities and work on campaigns.
“Last year it was the HERO campaign,” said Lori Tutt, the school’s religion teacher and religious education coordinator for the Catholic school district. “HERO stands for Honouring Everyone Regardless of Orientation.”
Students plastered posters all around the school to highlight the negative effects of exclusion as part of the campaign.
They shared statistics about how derogatory slurs impact students’ attendance and self-esteem, delivered a presentation on inclusivity to their fellow peers and took part in a workshop with the Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife.
Last year, the student group was invited to an NWT conference where they met youth from around the territory and shared how they others could start their own version of L.I.F.E., said Gerwing.
“It’s totally open to every student in the school and we always find that there’s allies, friends, supporters,” Tutt said of the group.
This week alone, five new students showed up to their regular meeting, said Gerwing.
While it’s no secret bullying still exists these days, the L.I.F.E. facilitators are optimistic things are changing at schools like St. Pat’s.
“With the education and the advocacy,” said Tutt, “I think it’s become a safer and more inclusive space.”
Students are more comfortable joining a group for LGBTQ2+ students, like L.I.F.E., more aware of the consequences of exclusion and more comfortable being who they are, Tutt explained.
“And that’s really what the original vision of the students was – that place, first of all, to be safe,” said Tutt. “We’re really proud of the work they’ve done. I certainly think they enrich our lives.”