The awards recipients and results for past Seminars can be found on the CSDF website.
National Debating Seminar
2010-2011 Report
The 2010-2011 National Debating Seminar was held from May 9th to 14th in Hay River, Northwest Territories. Known as the "Hub of the North," Hay River is a town that is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, at the mouth of the Hay River. What a perfect location to host an event focused on Northern Issues! The delegates from Saskatchewan were: Amber D. from Estevan; Kehan F. from Saskatoon; and Shinae H., Nicholas L., Julia P. and Leilani R. from Regina. There was definitely a spirit of adventure as the entire delegation for the National Seminar arrived in Edmonton and boarded a First Air charter. Destination: NWT.
Princess Alexandra Middle School and École Boréale welcomed its guests from across Canada with open arms and warm hospitality. There was a determined effort to immerse the delegates in cultural activities that were characteristic to the North, while at the same time retaining a strong sense of bilingualism with Canada's two official languages. Il était très important de représenter les deux Français et Anglais également. We quickly learned that "National Seminar was a great way for individuals to experience different cultures and lifestyles." (Kehan)
During our first full day in Hay River, delegates had the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities (dogsledding, ice fishing, trap lining, snow shoeing, Dene games, or a trip to Yellowknife). "During the Seminar, we participated in many cultural activities and trips that are unique to the North. I chose to go on a trip to Yellowknife where we visited the Legislature and saw the DC-3 planes from World War Two. I also went snowshoeing and dogsledding which was such an experience in itself." (Amber) The winter season offered many opportunities for our students to engage in outdoor adventure. "I loved the ice fishing, where I went on a bombardier and caught fish. The hosts were very welcoming and made us all feel great and one of them. It was very cold but totally worth it." (Julia)
The competition officially began with prepared co-ordinate rounds on Friday, focusing on the resolution that Canada should take more active measures in asserting sovereignty over the Arctic. These first two rounds gave students the opportunity to work with fellow debaters from across the country, and demonstrate their parliamentary skills.
"The experience you gain from a voyage like this is more than extra knowledge that I may use in an essay. It is life lessons and culture that I will carry with me in whatever my future endeavours hold. It is the relationships made with such beautiful people from across Canada, people that make you feel appreciated, included, and loved. Vive le Quebec libre!" (Las, aka Nicholas)
On Saturday, cross examination was the style for the third and fourth rounds of debate. Most of the Saskatchewan delegates travelled to Fort Smith for the day, while the rest stayed in Hay River to determine whether or not resource development is more important than environmental protection. "Jàimais bien les séminars. La ville et les habitants étaient acceuillants et bien sympas. J`étais décu de ne pas recu la chance d`explorer la ville mais peu importe je làimais bein. Jài vu les sites culturells et la ville de Fort Smith. J`aimais surtout lèsprit non-compétitive." (Shinae) The Hay River contingent spent the remainder of the day learning traditional artistic skills: carving muskox antlers, making a drum from caribou hide, tufting with animal fur, or traditional story telling.
Consensus debate was another original element to hosting National Seminar in the Northwest Territories. Their provincial legislature practices this style of debate, which focuses on representing your constituency while at the same time reaching a decision that will best serve the entire region. It was a new style to all of the debaters who came from outside the territories, so many of the workshops revolved around understanding the true nature of consensus. The third and final resolution asked the question "should cultural preservation be a top government priority?" "Consensus form of debate was new to me and I am so glad that I got a chance to try it. It was nice to be working with other people for a common goal rather than trying to bring other people down. I also think that consensus style debate pertains to life and how you must treat other people" (Leilani)
The general consensus was the consensus was an interesting style that would bring many real life applications, although it would definitely require practice to feel confident at it.
After concluding the debate portion of the seminar, we were treated to an awards banquet that featured wild game such as moose and beaver. This was a great time to unwind and celebrate an excellent trip to the Northwest Territories. Awards were handed out to the top speaker from each province/territory, and Kehan received this honour for Saskatchewan. Our last day in Hay River began with another morning flight, forced to say goodbye to the friends and colleagues that we met from across the country. All of the students on our National Seminar delegation represented their province with the utmost class. It was a tremendous group of high school students to spend a few days with in the North. Thanks for a wonderful experience. Mahsi cho!
~ Kara Helms, Greystone Heights School Debate Coach
I have just got home from the Seminar and I would like to really thank you for the opportunity for me to attend this national event. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience as it was in Hay River, NWT, where one does not usually consider travelling. I loved how we were able to do the cultural and unique events as well as debating. I have learned so much during these past days that will improve my debating skills for the future. The introduction of Consensus style of debate was a bit uneasy, yet it is a style that I think we should be doing in Saskatchewan. Consensus allows us to not only be good debaters but it also pertains to real life as we work to comprise and help others in real life, not crush them down at every chance. I also believe that this style would work best at a provincial level because each debater is able to represent their constituent accurately due to the fact that we know what the problems are in our province. During the Seminar, I noticed how most of the delegates from the other provinces were from large urban centers. I appreciate how S.E.D.A. gives rural debaters, like me, the opportunity to go to events like these even though we are not the best debaters. Without the opportunity to have different competition than those in Regina, we couldn't ever dreamed of winning 3rd at Tournament 4. The students sent to these National Student Debating Seminars are often the best students that the province has to offer. This is important but I know that those who are not as good, who do not have the experience would benefit greatly, as I had. I greatly appreciate this opportunity and all of the information I collected, not only about debate but about the Arctic, over these past few days.
Thanks,
Amber D.
