Students prepare for Pink Shirt Day
Anti-bullying is always an important message for schools to promote, and at Ratihén:te High School, it’s the students who take the lead come Pink Shirt Day.
It’s fitting - no pun intended. Taking place the last Wednesday of every February, Pink Shirt Day was created by students in Nova Scotia back in 2007 who were protesting the treatment of a peer who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt.
Now local students carry on the tradition of leadership, not just recognizing the day, but designing and making the shirts for the student body as part of their media class, usually selling overflow to community members.
“Every year, it’s basically always student-led,” said teacher Lizane Montreuil, who coordinates student fundraisers for grad celebrations. Credit for overseeing the Pink Shirt Day project goes to media teacher Christine Lefebvre, she noted.
This year’s design was created by student Ehsako:wa Bonspille, featuring a tree and the words Kanehsatake and Skén:nen, Kanien’kéha for peace.
This time, rather than just relying on extras, the students made 40 shirts for the express purpose of selling them to the community. It’s all part of their grad fundraising efforts, Montreuil said.
Rather than in past years, when students raised money to help pay for a prom, this year the class - five boys and one girl - voted to take their celebration in a different direction. They are looking at possibilities like a grad trip - one that could include hunting or fishing, perhaps - or a grad dinner, with the possibility of both, if they raise enough funds.
The class also weren’t interested in running the Indian taco fundraiser, which has been a big hit in past years. Expanding the Pink Shirt Day sales was one way to raise money that better aligned with their interests, Montreuil said.
“They’re a really artistic group, so they really love to design and in their own way showing their art, so it’s a big thing for them.”
The students got a big boost, however, when Kanesatake Health Center (KHC) put in an order for 100 shirts.
“They were super happy that KHC made that order and supported their fundraiser,” said Montreuil.
“All day today they were printing the vinyl and the decal of it, because the shirts haven’t come yet.”
To the KHC, it was an opportunity to step up for local youth by supporting their anti-bullying effort.
“This collaboration not only reinforces our commitment to fostering a safe and respectful community, but also empowers our youth by directly supporting their efforts to create positive change,” said KHC executive director Teiawenhniseráhte Tomlinson.
“By wearing these shirts, KHC staff and community members stand in solidarity against bullying and promote kindness, inclusion, and respect for all.”
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The message is one that resonates with the students, said Montreuil. They have sometimes spoken about feeling targeted when leaving the territory for athletic activities.
“Being from an Indigenous culture living on the territory, they have firsthand experience, the impact of what bullying can do,” said Montreuil.
Pink Shirt Day is always well-received by the community, as well, with the extra shirts quickly selling out. This was the case again this year, with the initial run of 40 shirts nearly scooped up at the time of writing.
Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
