ST. PAUL - One local 23-year-old hopes he can help build a more inclusive education experience in the community, while also marking Inclusive Education Month delivering book baskets to schools in the area.
For Tanis Shapka, inclusive education means “a place for everybody.” In an attempt to build awareness, with help from his father Amil Shapka and a $1,500 grant from the Taking It Global Rising Youth Grant, the father and son duo put together book baskets for all St. Paul schools, including University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills.
Tanis, an anti-bullying advocate and a provincial youth representative for Inclusion St. Paul, was one of two students to participate in an inclusive post-secondary education program at Portage College.
“My (belief) is we don’t have disabilities, we have possibilities,” Tanis said.
The book project is to raise awareness about diversity and inclusive education, Amil said.
“He wanted to do something that would help all kids,” Amil added. “And, it’s very heart-warming to see he’s passionate about it and building community.”
The idea for the project, completely spearheaded by Tanis, is also his first project as the new Inclusive Youth Representative for Inclusion St. Paul and Inclusion Alberta.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next because he’s trying to promote inclusion in our community, specifically in school, and his experiences in school were not always inclusive,” Sylvie Proteau, a Community Development Advocate with Inclusion Alberta, said. “(Tanis) wants to ensure that all children have opportunities for inclusion so they don’t have to experience some of the things that he went through.”
Tanis has volunteered for Champions for Change, the St. Paul Youth Committee, Youth Council and the Boys and Girls Club. He also volunteers for Inclusion St. Paul’s Youth Committee and the provincial youth committee.
“Inclusion might mean different things to different people,” he said. “But to me, it’s showing how to be respectful, don’t bully, be a good person, stick together and build community.”
Based on Inclusive Education Canada, National Inclusive Education Month is a time for members of the Community Living movement and its many partners to promote and raise awareness about inclusive education.
“For so much of his life we tried to parent him to be independent, and looks like it’s working,” Amil said.
