A delegation led by Indigenous leadership from Esk’etemc attended the School District 27 Board of Education meeting this past Monday evening (September 22) calling for accountability and action from the District.
Esk’etemc said the meeting also highlighted the frustration of Indigenous representatives concerning the lack of communication and transparency from both the School District and Ministry of Education and Child Care to Indigenous communities.
Chief Fred Robbins said over the past 3 years they met with the Minister of Education 3 times and had a review done but the review itself did mention racism, discrimination, bullying and harassment in School District 27.
“However it doesn’t give us any guidelines that we should be following. We’d like to find some solutions to deal with these issues in a positive way.” Robbins said, “ We proposed 10 questions to the Board and they said they’re going to get back to us after their next in-camera meeting on October 6. We’re a bit frustrated with the whole process simply because we’re not included as a First Nations and we want to be included in finding solutions for our children and hopefully get some results of that come October sixth.”
He said they remain committed to building a future rooted in equality and justice and in the spirit of reconciliation are asking to be included in the work for full transparency.
“We invited the Minister of Education and Child Care to our community so she could get a better sense of what it’s like to be in a remote First Nations community and the culture shock that could potentially happen to to First Nations students when they go into a Public School. It was just unfortunate that with her time frame that didn’t allow it.”
Robbins said one of the things that we as Esk’etemc are looking for is a bit more say in the future of our children’s education.
“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission also did say that First Nations need to be included in their children’s education and curriculum development and we’ve never been included in any of that.”
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