News
Diversity Inclusion Belonging
New initiative continues
Following on from the establishment of the Diversity Inclusion Belonging Steering Group in October, the group, which includes student, staff, alumni and Board representatives, held its first official meeting via Zoom on November 6.
In addition to being an important forum for different constituent members to come together for a shared purpose, the Steering Group—chaired by English Department Head Carmen Boudreau—is also an opportunity to bring a diversity of voices and perspectives to the fore, to celebrate diversity and champion inclusivity, as Prefect and Renfrew Head of House Timi A. shares:
“When I was initially asked by Mr. Lamont to join this steering group I was slightly taken aback. Why me? Often I feel the need to quiet myself for other people. I let other people fill my silences. This is not to say that I’m shy or scared of people, I’ve simply always been more of an observer. I have gotten so used to this role, in fact, that I often forget that I have a voice. I often forget that what I have to say may be just as important as the next person, and that my opinion could serve as a guiding factor in people’s views. That my voice is valid. This group is about more than promoting diversity. It’s about celebrating it. It’s about embracing our differences and recognizing that they make us better people. It’s not easy being one of the six Black students in the school. I’ve never felt attacked for it but I’ve had my moments of discomfort. It was when I should have screamed my loudest that I failed to speak. I’m hoping that by being a part of this I can remind others that they have a voice. That it can reach people. And that it’s valid.”
The meeting opened with a video of the spoken word poem “I Am Not Black, You Are Not White” by artist/writer Prince Ea. Members were then encouraged to complete a Bias Implicit Association Test to explore the notion of unconscious bias, and the idea of reading a book together as a group was also raised. Reading options suggested at the meeting included Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies or Blind Spot by Mahzarin R. Banaji, Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Daniel Tatum, and Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What we Can Do by Claude M. Steele.
The members then worked together to develop a draft diversity statement which will be revisited after finalizing the name of the steering committee, and some time was given over to discussing bold and memorable word and group name suggestions. Student members Janie Z., Jazmin B., and Ryan S. were tasked with developing some ideas for presentation at the next meeting.
The meeting also covered the potential opportunity within Friday’s SOUL-o times to tackle initiatives related to diversity, inclusion and belonging, and a discussion of priorities and foci for the group going forward, including student-led initiatives, whole school events, development for both students and staff, and alumni engagement.
Lisa Grover '90 (Kaye's), a member of both the Board of Governors and the Alumni Engagement Committee, notes that membership of the Diversity Inclusion Belonging Steering Group is a way of continuing to champion causes that are close to her heart. As the daughter of an immigrant, growing up in a biracial household, conversations around diversity and belonging were a prevalent and formative part of her upbringing.
"I am delighted to be part of this new steering group on Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging," she says. "I am deeply impressed by the leadership shown by our Shawnigan community and the powerful engagement from staff, students and young alumni. This is a tremendous opportunity and I can’t wait to dive in."
Steering Group Chair Ms. Boudreau in turn notes how encouraged she is by the number of people in the Shawnigan community who care deeply and passionately about diversity, inclusion and belonging.
“Our first meeting was inspiring: we have a wonderful group of people who want to celebrate what makes Shawnigan great and at the same time make it a better place for all of its members," she explains. "After our first meeting, I was struck by how articulate and talented our student members are. I could not be happier or prouder of them. Our entire group has a lot to offer, and as such, I feel our greatest challenge will be limiting ourselves to a few of the many important and varied initiatives our members are keen to take on. Our Chair of the Board, Fiona Macfarlane, reminded us that ‘we can be as inclusive as we like, but if people don’t feel like they belong’ we are not doing our job. We are all committed to working to ensure that our Shawnigan is a safe and nurturing place for all. I am excited about the possibilities.”
For further information about diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives at Shawnigan, please visit our website.
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In addition to being an important forum for different constituent members to come together for a shared purpose, the Steering Group—chaired by English Department Head Carmen Boudreau—is also an opportunity to bring a diversity of voices and perspectives to the fore, to celebrate diversity and champion inclusivity, as Prefect and Renfrew Head of House Timi A. shares:
“When I was initially asked by Mr. Lamont to join this steering group I was slightly taken aback. Why me? Often I feel the need to quiet myself for other people. I let other people fill my silences. This is not to say that I’m shy or scared of people, I’ve simply always been more of an observer. I have gotten so used to this role, in fact, that I often forget that I have a voice. I often forget that what I have to say may be just as important as the next person, and that my opinion could serve as a guiding factor in people’s views. That my voice is valid. This group is about more than promoting diversity. It’s about celebrating it. It’s about embracing our differences and recognizing that they make us better people. It’s not easy being one of the six Black students in the school. I’ve never felt attacked for it but I’ve had my moments of discomfort. It was when I should have screamed my loudest that I failed to speak. I’m hoping that by being a part of this I can remind others that they have a voice. That it can reach people. And that it’s valid.”
The meeting opened with a video of the spoken word poem “I Am Not Black, You Are Not White” by artist/writer Prince Ea. Members were then encouraged to complete a Bias Implicit Association Test to explore the notion of unconscious bias, and the idea of reading a book together as a group was also raised. Reading options suggested at the meeting included Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies or Blind Spot by Mahzarin R. Banaji, Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Daniel Tatum, and Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What we Can Do by Claude M. Steele.
The members then worked together to develop a draft diversity statement which will be revisited after finalizing the name of the steering committee, and some time was given over to discussing bold and memorable word and group name suggestions. Student members Janie Z., Jazmin B., and Ryan S. were tasked with developing some ideas for presentation at the next meeting.
The meeting also covered the potential opportunity within Friday’s SOUL-o times to tackle initiatives related to diversity, inclusion and belonging, and a discussion of priorities and foci for the group going forward, including student-led initiatives, whole school events, development for both students and staff, and alumni engagement.
Lisa Grover '90 (Kaye's), a member of both the Board of Governors and the Alumni Engagement Committee, notes that membership of the Diversity Inclusion Belonging Steering Group is a way of continuing to champion causes that are close to her heart. As the daughter of an immigrant, growing up in a biracial household, conversations around diversity and belonging were a prevalent and formative part of her upbringing.
"I am delighted to be part of this new steering group on Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging," she says. "I am deeply impressed by the leadership shown by our Shawnigan community and the powerful engagement from staff, students and young alumni. This is a tremendous opportunity and I can’t wait to dive in."
Steering Group Chair Ms. Boudreau in turn notes how encouraged she is by the number of people in the Shawnigan community who care deeply and passionately about diversity, inclusion and belonging.
“Our first meeting was inspiring: we have a wonderful group of people who want to celebrate what makes Shawnigan great and at the same time make it a better place for all of its members," she explains. "After our first meeting, I was struck by how articulate and talented our student members are. I could not be happier or prouder of them. Our entire group has a lot to offer, and as such, I feel our greatest challenge will be limiting ourselves to a few of the many important and varied initiatives our members are keen to take on. Our Chair of the Board, Fiona Macfarlane, reminded us that ‘we can be as inclusive as we like, but if people don’t feel like they belong’ we are not doing our job. We are all committed to working to ensure that our Shawnigan is a safe and nurturing place for all. I am excited about the possibilities.”
For further information about diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives at Shawnigan, please visit our website.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
