Two grade 11 students from Garden Valley Collegiate in Winkler attended a large conference in Winnipeg last month. The conference is held every two years and is put on by the Manitoba Teachers' Society and Manitoba Association of School Superintendents.  In total, around 1,000 people participated, including teachers, principals, superintendents, and around 200 students from across the province.

This year's theme was 'Education for ACTtion: Our Human Rights Journey.

Kezra Gerbrandt and Denika Corrigal from Garden Valley Collegiate (GVC) said they both felt honoured to go this year, and called the whole experience, "inspiring and eye opening."

During the two-day conference, Kezra and Denika participated in a number of seminars and workshops, one being a blanket activity at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.  They explained the activity really opened their eyes to how the culture of First Nations People in our country was taken away.

"Usually we're sitting in a classroom or looking at textbooks," said Denika.  "But to see it eye to eye and hear these people share their stories was heartbreaking, but also 

Kezra placing an origami boat into the water in the Garden of Contemplation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. About 200 origami boats made by students were placed in the water, signifying our journey to reconciliation. (Photo Submitted) I'm excited to share this information to get people aware of the stuff that's still going on."

A workshop on mental health was also very eye opening for both.  Denika explained the workshop was on ending the stigma of mental health and covered things, they as students, can do at a school level to help end the stigma.  Denika said one thing stood out for her and is something she would like to incorporate at GVC next year. She said it was a calendar with different quotes and meaningful

Denika and Kezra making their origami boats. (Submitted)messages intended to give youth a brighter kind of encouragement throughout the day.  She said the seminar also included a power point on what students can do to end the stigma associated with mental health.

Denika said the experience made her realize she wants to pursue something in the mental health field and raise awareness of the issue. "Mental health is a big deal and we do need to talk about it.  I feel it's something that gets brushed under the covers a little bit, and I feel like we need to talk about it and educate students about where to go and what to do.  And I really want to be a part of that."

Another exercise, which was a very moving experience, was a video project and a Proclamation for a Reconciled Canada.  As a group of 200 students, one hour was given to create a video and come up with the proclamation.  "The next 50 years, that is what the youth will have control over," said GVC Vice-Principal Carrie Friesen.  "It (the exercise) was very empowering to youth."  When the project was complete, Friesen said every adult in the room stood up and applauded the youth. She said the youth made a proclamation of what Canada will be like over the next 50 years, and how it will be even better.

In two years students from Northlands Parkway will be chosen from the Garden Valley School Division, and in four years, the next time GVC will send two students, two males will get the opportunity to go.