Surrey students discuss equity at 7th annual Cross-Cultural Symposium on Anti-Racism and Intersectionality

Surrey Schools hosted its 7th annual Cross-Cultural Symposium on Anti-Racism and Intersectionality at the Resources & Education Centre earlier this week, bringing together nearly 200 secondary students to discuss racial equity. (Photo by Jacob Zinn)

After an in-person hiatus, the Surrey Schools Cross-Cultural Symposium on Anti-Racism and Intersectionality returned to form, with nearly 200 secondary students from across the district in attendance to discuss matters of race-based discrimination and racial equity in schools.

This year marked the first time the district’s new Racial Equity department was involved in the event, collaborating with Indigenous Learning staff to engage students in thought-provoking discussion. The students represented nearly all secondary schools, filling the third floor of the district’s Resources & Education Centre.

“The students were either part of a club or some activities that are happening in secondary schools around antiracism, anti-oppression, or a group where they’re hoping to advocate for this work,” said JB Mahli, Director of Instruction for Racial Equity. “They’re students who are on the journey toward racial equity in schools and this is an opportunity for them to connect and know that there are other students in the district doing the same work.”

The event featured speakers Kevin Lamoureux, the Education Lead for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and Orlando Bowen, a former CFL linebacker and founder of the One Voice One Team Youth Leadership Organization.

“Kevin talked about the work around truth and reconciliation, and centring our work moving forward on anti-Indigenous racism,” said Mahli. “Orlando’s speech was interactive, and many students said both speakers spoke to them about who they are and listened to their voices – it really provided them a real boost for the work that they’re doing moving ahead.”

Superintendent Mark Pearmain opened the symposium, sharing more on the district’s antiracism efforts and letting attendees know that staff are also here to guide, support and work with them toward their goals for racial equity.

“He spent some time talking to the students about the importance of students as leaders and their voices in the work that we’re doing, leaning on them as our champions in schools to keep doing the great work that they’re doing,” said Mahli. “Hearing from the superintendent in person really sends a clear signal to our students that our whole organization is behind them and working to improve the well-being of everyone in our schools.”

Students also got to interview peers from other schools and share both the positive aspects of antiracism work at their school and areas for growth and improvement.

“We left off with a commitment to continue to meet and learn from one another and push forward in the work of racial equity with everybody in our school communities,” said Mahli.

Mahli noted that many principals and teachers were also in attendance at the symposium, and that the district’s efforts for antiracism aren’t just from the Racial Equity and Indigenous Learning departments, but are a shared responsibility of students and staff across the district.

“This is not something that’s new from my department – this is to help support the work that’s already happening in schools and to let them know that as a district, we’re here to continue to provide that learning and space for everyone to meet and keep working together,” he said. “With a racial equity strategic plan in the works, this was an opportunity to let them know there’s much broader work happening across our system to address inequalities.”