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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

march 24-29

RDP, Students’ Association marking Pride Week while more students on campus

Mar 24, 2025 | 2:35 PM

The Students’ Association at Red Deer Polytechnic, in partnership with PRIDE on Campus, is marking Pride Week, March 24-29.

The observance, in its second year, is intended to give students a better chance to commemorate Pride during the regular school year, when more students are on campus. RDP and the SA also take part in Pride festivities in June (international Pride Month) and August (Central Alberta Pride Week).

“At RDP, we want to ensure that everyone feels safe to be who they are, without fear. The institution’s campuses belong to all of us and should be places where one’s personal truth is celebrated,” says Jacq Patterson, President of the Students’ Association of Red Deer Polytechnic.

“Each individual within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community brings a unique perspective to our campuses. Their stories enrich our student body in ways that make us all better. The diversity of experiences and identities within the LGBTQIA2S+ community are essential. It helps us foster creativity, empathy and understanding, shaping a more inclusive environment for all of us.”

Events kicked off Monday with a flag-raising, and will include:

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• a Pride Fair featuring opportunities to learn about the Pride community, as well as supports available for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members at RDP and in the surrounding community.
• Pride pin-making and Dreamcatcher making
• discussions and workshops that include topics such as allyship, intersectionality and peer support
• a Queer Prom where everyone is invited to join the party.

Week-long activities as part of Pride Week festivities include:

• opportunities for people to make friendship bracelets & other Pride crafts in the Makerspace (in RDP’s Library)
• writing a message to an individual’s younger self to be added to a patchwork quilt. Tables will be set up across campus to contribute messages to the quilt.
• the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on main campus illuminated in rainbow colours each night
• reading various books and resources available at RDP’s Library Book Display.

“We are excited to co-host this series of Pride Week events with our partners in the Students’ Association,” says Lindsay Engel, Vice President, Academic and Student Success at Red Deer Polytechnic.

“Together, we all play a role in creating a teaching and learning environment in which our students, faculty and staff who are members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community feel represented. Pride Week represents another opportunity on our campuses for meaningful dialogue and greater understanding among our Polytechnic community members to learn with, and from, one another.”

For a full listing of all events, including dates and times, visit: rdpolytech.ca/PrideWeek.

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