We are a group of pre-service and practicing teachers interested in anti-oppressive education and teaching for social justice. We aim to address these issues by participating in personal development activities as a group, by collecting and providing resources related to social justice, and by offering professional development events for our colleagues and for the larger community.

This flyer provides a brief overview of the work our group has done over the past year.

During the fall semester, UR S.T.A.R.S. members participated in Treaty 4 Gathering in Fort Qu'Appelle. We also put on two professional development events: Read the TRC and #TreatyEdCamp.

"Mr. Wotherspoon: — On November 4th, the U of R[University of Regina] hosted a progressive and impressive learning opportunity for teachers here in Saskatchewan. The Treaty Ed Camp was a professional development event organized by the U of R chapter of the Student Teachers Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppressive Society with the support of the Faculty of Education and Dean, Dr. Jennifer Tupper. We know how important treaty education is for our province. Every acre is covered by treaty and every resident is party to the treaty.There were more than 30 presenters leading the discussions about how to incorporate treaty education into classrooms,creating a rich learning opportunity. Also impressive were the 250 teachers and students from across Saskatchewan that came to Regina to attend the camp on their own time on a Saturday.Some sessions focused on how to incorporate the treaties into math and science; others focused on strategies for talking about dark parts of our history with young students — all important topics for reconciliation in our province. And so I ask all members to join me in thanking Meagan Dobson, Katia Hildebrandt, Raquel Bellefleur for their work in organizing this conference and in recognizing the important work being done by students, teachers, elders, professors,educators, and administrators across our province to ensure that every student in Saskatchewan learns how important treaties have been in shaping Saskatchewan’s past and the fundamental role they must play in our province’s future if Saskatchewan is going to reach its full potential. We are, after all, all treaty people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

During the winter semester, UR S.T.A.R.S. participated in many activities, including a bake sale for La Loche, a popcorn sale for the Scott Collegiate Graduation Pow Wow, Day of Education for Reconciliation, Treaty Ed Camp Moose Jaw, and Treaty 4: The Next Generation Project. We also facilitated six professional development events: Supporting Muslim Students, Gender and Sexual Diversity: Story Telling with Laura Budd, Treaty Ed in ELA Workshop, Fishbowl Discussion: Resistance and Reconciliation, Treaty Ed in Arts Education Workshop, and a panel discussion on Social Justice Work in Our Community.

Our group’s success was recognized by Dr. Jennifer Tupper (Dean of Education), Dr. Valerie Mulholland (Associate Dean of Education), and Dr. Michael Cappello at the Faculty of Education Awards Ceremony on April 6, 2016.

Our group's work was featured in the Faculty of Education Newsletter.

We started the year with 12 executive members and have grown to approximately 25 members involved, including undergraduate students, graduate students, and practicing teachers.