Student Society Network Showcases Culture, Faith, and Community at SAC

Members of the Student Society Network (SSN) shared the sounds, flavours, and traditions that represent who we are, from our cultural roots and religious practices to the unique ways we express belonging and joy within our community.

On Nov. 21, Staunton Gallery was teeming with students and staff who supported, learned from, and enjoyed a variety of student-led booths and presentations that reflected the diversity and creativity of SSN members.

Tomika Fraser-McIntosh, the faculty coordinator of the network, reports that students shared an impressive range of foods tied to their heritage and identity, including dates, Korean fried chicken, Jamaican patties, churros, bagels with cream cheese, jerk chicken, lemonade, Russian candies, freshly fried dumplings, Skittles candy and more. Some societies displayed traditional attire and shared traditional essential oils (Attar), while others created video presentations or interactive activities.

The Muslim Student Association taught visitors how to create traditional head wraps, and the South Asian Student Society had a map where students placed pins to indicate the different places they and their families came from.

The SSN comprises 15 student-led heritage, identity, and faith-based groups. Most operate as independent societies, while a few emerging groups sit under larger umbrellas. For example, Tomika says, the Italian and Slavic groups are supported through the European Cultural Society.

“All of these groups were created because students wanted to see their identities, traditions, and communities represented at SAC in a meaningful way,” she says.

“The SSN is important because it provides students with space to honour who they are, connect with peers who share similar experiences, and teach others about the communities and traditions that matter to them. It also strengthens the school community as a whole.”