On April 27, 2023, students from across the District will come together for the fourth annual student-led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference. The theme chosen by the student planning committee of this year’s conference is Self-Care, Community Care and Healing. In the following guest writer piece, grade 12 Kitsilano student Nik De Leon talks about why this theme was chosen, what students can expect to gain from the gathering and why the work doesn’t stop here. 

My name is Nik De Leon and I am a part of the wonderful group of students putting together this year’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity (DEI) Youth Conference. It has been a wonderful experience that I am so happy to add to my final high school year.  One of my favourite parts of planning for this conference was getting to meet new people and make connections across the District. Having these connections can be especially important within the social justice community. I find there is the common issue of having so many ideas on how to fix a problem but no idea on how to start. Finding places like this conference allows you a place to find that starting point. 

For me this conference is a starting point or the beginning of a conversation. We are trying to give more high schoolers the tools to heal both themselves and the communities that they are in so they are in a healthy place to make change in the world around them. As a senior I have a feeling of responsibility to teach younger students on how to take up the mantle but also help my peers expand their actions beyond the walls of their school.  

I found out about the DEI Conference through my role as the Pride club leader at Kitsilano Secondary. My sponsor teachers had received an email regarding a new opportunity for students interested in starting conversations relating to DEI. I was immediately intrigued by the opportunity to share my perspective. Expressing my own perspective is something that I have come to value immensely as I’ve learned that in a world where I can rarely find representation I sometimes have to step up and be my own. I am omnisexual, gender fluid and I am Jewish. At 17 years old I have spent most of my life fighting to be my own representation and create safe spaces for myself. I educate those around even those sitting in places of authority and seniority. I have learned to value my ability to share knowledge with those around me as well as my perseverance, but it does not come without consequence. Simply existing as myself can feel like a fight and it is difficult to find a way to heal and balance that with important community work. 

This dilemma is a big part of this year’s theme of ‘Self-Care, Community Care and Healing’. This is emotionally heavy work. To do good work and make change, one also must learn and practice inner healing. Healing is not about just a single moment, it is an ongoing journey that each individual can take. Whether you’re healing yourself or helping to mend the world around you. You can start small, but don’t stay there, always keep growing and expanding what you do.