SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
In 2011, a 15-year old girl took a stand in the House of Commons, holding up a 'Stop Harper' sign during the throne speech, leading to her losing her position as a parliamentary page. This weekend, she found herself in Yellowknife to share her experiences and host an activism workshop.

Anti-Harper activist Brigette Depape, left, and Mary Lou Cherwaty, president of the NWT Federation of Labour take a moment for a photo at Northern United Place Saturday during the Depape-led workshop, New Ways to Stimulate Change and Social Engagement. - Candace Thomson/NNSL photo

In 2011, a 15-year old girl took a stand in the House of Commons, holding up a 'Stop Harper' sign during the throne speech, leading to her losing her position as a parliamentary page. This weekend, she found herself in Yellowknife to share her experiences and host an activism workshop.

Brigette Depape took the chance to show Yellowknifers attending the workshop, put on by the NWT chapter of the Council of Canadians and the NWT Federation of Labour, how to stand up for what they believe in – a message that Mary Lou Cherwaty, the labour federation's president, said is an imporant one.

"(Depape) is sort of the poster child for much of (the Public Service Alliance of Canada) for her great stand against Harper," Cherwaty said. "To see her standing there in her page uniform and 'Stop Harper' sign … it was an inspiration to all of us."

Yellowknifer was able to speak with Depape during a break in the workshop about her first protest.

"To be honest, it was really, probably the scariest moment in my life," Depape told Yellowknifer.

"I was afraid about losing my job and what my parents would think and that kind of thing, but then I really thought about the people who are most impacted by Harper's agenda, and when we consider the realities of those people, often times I think the choice becomes quite clear."

After that day in the House of Commons, Depape was offered jobs by the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Council of Canadians and even documentary director and activist Michael Moore, but the biggest impact, she said, was how it changed her personal life.

"In that moment it was, for me, the first time I stood up for what I believed in. I was able to stand up for myself, and to stand up for my friends and to learn what that's like," she said.

"That strength is in all of us if we choose to harness it. I learned how to be confrontational in a loving way."

Approximately 30 people attended the workshop – coined “New Ways to Stimulate Change and Social Engagement” – at Northern United Place Saturday.

The busy day included activities such as presentations on the issues and realities surrounding protests, their effectiveness, the creation of an ideal community with role playing, learning the specifics of non-violent direct action and more.

"We had people role playing saying they were going to frack on those communities and had people literally tearing out bits of the papers the communities were drawn on (to represent the damage of fracking)," Depape said. "People were placing their hands on the paper and saying, 'No you won't come here,' and people were linking arms and taking action."

Depape said the exercise showed the natural reaction of people to want to protect what's important to them.

"I feel like there's some great things coming out of this workshop. It's wonderful to see people ready to take action on things they care about, against Harper and against fracking, and to stand up for people who are losing their jobs – that's really inspiring," Depape said.

"I'm just hoping people come out of this inspired and excited to work with each other to stand up, take action and take back their power. Our power."

Much of the discussion surrounded fracking, but according to those who attended, other issues were brought up as well.

"Today was about really broadening perspective and bringing in all different kinds of voices," said Cherwaty.