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The Shawnigan Lake School Menstrual Movement

Students at Shawnigan Lake School are continually coming up with unique ideas and finding solutions to matters that affect those that live and work on campus. Most recently, two Grade 12 students, Janie Z. and Grace L. the student leaders of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, BE A JEDI, took on the challenge and addressed a topic that affects nearly half of the students and staff, yet is something that is rarely talked about: the menstrual cycle. In an effort to destigmatize this topic, these students have started the Shawnigan Lake School Menstrual Movement.
So what exactly is the Shawnigan Lake School Menstrual Movement? First and foremost, it addresses the need to have accessible and complimentary menstrual products available around campus. This has been accomplished by partnering with an organization called Aunt Flow, which produces organic and sustainable menstrual products. Janie and Grace have helped facilitate the ordering of enough products to last a year, which have now been installed in 16 locations around campus. By purchasing from Aunt Flow, not only are they fulfilling a need on campus, but they are helping to provide products to those who need them as Aunt Flow donates products to various charities with every purchase.

The movement also aims to emphasize the importance of reducing the stigma around menstruation and providing education surrounding periods, cycles, and flows to all students and staff. As our campus strives to become a more inclusive environment, a change in the terminology from ‘feminine products' to ‘menstrual products’ is also key as it shows our non-gender-conforming students and staff they are supported. The Shawnigan community continues to build on its foundation of connectedness to ensure belonging for all students and staff. 

The next stage of the movement will see the commissary carrying a wider range of menstrual products, which will be sold at cost and displayed out in the open. As there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to menstrual products and the diverse needs of those who use them, the shift to a more diverse and inclusive campus is well underway. With the Aunt Flow movement not only removing the stigma around periods and making supplies accessible, the importance of the dialogue no longer including the negative stereotypes many of us are familiar with is vital in the mission these two have undertaken. Shawnigan is continually striving to be a living model of its values of Curiosity, Compassion, Community, and Courage, and these two Grade 12s are a shining example of this in action. 
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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.