Esk’etemc and the Concerned Parents and Caregivers of Williams Lake have launched a new website.
It’s aimed at raising awareness and gathering support for their call for an investigation regarding racial violence, discrimination, bullying and harassment within School District #27.
Education Director for Esk’etemc, Calvin Dubray said a number of groups want to have some resolutions to some of the things that are happening.
“We had a meeting yesterday (Monday) with the Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare with Kukpi7 Fred Robbins and our Education Team and we were fortunate enough to have Grand Chief Stewart Phillip from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs there just wanting to have some resolution and some dialogue on the concerns. We really haven’t had the opportunity to have these addressed.”
In a written statement regarding Monday’s meeting, Minister of Education and Child Care, Lisa Beare said “I’m grateful to Fred Robbins, Chief of Esk’etemc First Nation and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip for meeting with me openly sharing their perspectives and concerns. We know strong partnership between districts and communities are essential to student success. I share the community’s goals of ensuring all schools are safe and supportive spaces where both students and staff can thrive and I look forward to creating meaningful, positive change together.”
Dubray said they were glad the Minister was finally able to meet with us, it’s the second invitation we’ve had.
“The Minister talked about the review that was put forth and this was a review that was solely done with the Minister and her staffing and Safer Schools Together. There was really no co-developing of of this review with First Nations, in particular Esk’etemc who has been calling for an investigation, not a review, since October.”
Dubray noted that Kukpi7 Fred Robbins has extended an invitation for the second time to Minister Beare to come to Esket and to meet with these concerned groups.
“We’re going to wait for a response back from the Minister to this invitation to come to community because we believe having face to face meetings in community, sharing food and talking about the issues at the table is the best way to come up with solutions.”
The standuptogether.ca provides all community members the opportunity to get involved including a link to an online petition, a link to a Facebook Group and a downloadable form letter to write to Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care.
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