A vocal crowd of roughly 400 people turned up for a local 1 Million March 4 Children rally and walk outside City Hall on Sept. 20 to protest what they claim is sexual orientation and gender identity teaching in the Saskatchewan school system. The event was organized by a local For The Kids’ Sake group that teamed up with Family Faith Freedom, based in the U.S. Guest speaker Tanner Hnudey took to the podium to deliver his religious perspective. There were also counter-protesters in the mix. Geoff Lee Meridian Source Photos
A vocal group of more than 400 people with divergent viewpoints on how they want to see children taught in Lloydminster schools, made their voices heard at a rally outside City Hall.
It was the local version of the 1 Million March 4 Children held in cities across Canada on Sept. 20 with some counter-protesters shouting down some speakers.
Locally, the rally and walk along 44 Street, was presented by the For the Kids’ Sake group of concerned parents in Lloydminster in conjunction with the American-based Faith, Family, Freedom organization.
“The purpose is to bring all people together to stand up and be a voice for protecting our children against sexualization and indoctrination in schools,” said lead organizer, Tara Anderson.
Her group also advocates the elimination of alleged sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) curriculum along with pronouns, gender identity and even mixed bathrooms in schools.
Podcaster and co-organizer, Shaun Newman, admits SOGI isn’t a part of the curriculum in Saskatchewan schools, but says it’s in B.C. and parts of Alberta.
“We don’t want it implemented. As a parent, I want to be in the conversation about what is going on with my children,” said Newman.
He went on to say teachers are being instructed if someone “comes out” to them or if they have secret conversations, they are not supposed to “out” it to the parent.
“In my books, the parent is first and foremost and needs to know about what’s going with children,” said Newman.
“It’s about giving rights back to parents and it’s trying to get some things out of the schools that parents don’t want.”
The Ministry of Education in Saskatchewan has adopted new parental inclusion and consent policies for Saskatchewan schools.
Under the policy, students 16 and under require permission from a parent to change their preferred name and pronouns used with gender identity.
In addition, only teachers can present sexual education materials in the classrooms.
Newman admits the new policy means parents are being consulted, but added the government could be sued by opponents.
“It is very close to being repealed and that’s why they are talking about this government implementing the notwithstanding clause,” he said.
Bonnie Scherger, another member of the For the Kids’s Sake group, says she hasn’t reached out to the Lloydminster public or Catholic school division about any SOGI curriculum.
“We just know SOGI one, two, three is proposed to be bought into Saskatchewan, but it hasn’t yet,” she said while adding “The content has.”
Jason Neville, director of education, Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD), told the Meridian Source in a statement: “In LPSD, our teachers follow the Saskatchewan curriculum for all of our subjects, which ensures that content is age-appropriate and approved by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education.
“Our schools focus on creating a welcoming and safe school environment for all students.”
Tanner Hnudey, who identified himself as a political commentator, podcaster and lawyer, lumps in SOGI to living in a world today where values, ethics, morals etc. have been flipped upside down by the government.
“The protest here today is meant to demonstrate as parents, although I’m not a parent myself, we want these morals to be turned right side up again,” said Hnudey, who cloaked his message in a religious sermon to the crowd.
He thinks faceless bureaucrats are working to change the “identity” of students from what they’ve been raised with to serve the needs of big government.
Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young, who was in Regina, replied in writing to an organizer inviting her to attend, noting 86 per cent of parents agree with the new policy on gender and sex education.
“We know there is a backlash from certain interest groups,” she wrote. “Premier Scott Moe has stated we are not backing down. He has strong support from the entire government caucus, including myself,” she said.
Young went on the state, “It is in the best interest of children to ensure that parents are involved in their children’s education, in their classrooms and in all important decisions involving their children.”
She and others, including rally speaker, Danny Hozack, encourage parents to contact teachers and school boards with any concerns they may have and to become involved in their local school community council.
“I don’t think anyone in the education system should be talking to our children about anything they are not prepared to talk to the parents about,” said Hozack.
“I think it’s also fair to say, it’s not the teachers, but the teachers’ union.”
Hozack also provided concerned parents in the crowd with an action plan.
“Absolutely, be involved with your children in school and do not back down on your right to be informed about your school’s curriculum,” he said.
“Get involved in school board elections, so you can have a greater say in the development of the curriculum.”
Hozack also advised parents to talk to their MLAs regarding concerns about education and the curriculum in particular.
He ended his comments by telling everyone he’s on a mission to bring back the return of the 3Rs and the Lord’s Prayer in schools.
Leighton Gray, a lawyer and podcaster from Cold Lake, explained he was there to speak on the protection of children.
“There’s been a lack of responsiveness to a large segment of the population that want important things left to family and that believe it isn’t the role of the school system or teachers to instill values in children,” said Gray.
He says sex education is just one example, citing LGBTQ, diversity, inclusion, and “equity race theory” as examples of ideology he believes students are being indoctrinated in.
“Many parents don’t subscribe to them and believe they are harming children,” said Gray.
Rosemarie Falk, MP Battlefords-Lloydminster, released a statement thanking organizers for taking a stand for strong families and healthy communities.
“Families are the cornerstone of a healthy society and strong families make stronger communities, ” said Falk.
“They are a source of guidance, safe shelter and support for their children. An institution can never replace the unconditional love and safety that can be found in a healthy family unit.”
