ATHABASCA – Noting the completion of Truth and Reconciliation Commission's mandate in 2015, Aspen View Public Schools trustee Tom Mykytiuk says it is time to ensure the inclusion of Indigenous voices on the board.
At the Sept. 10 board meeting Mykytiuk put forward a motion to investigate having Indigenous representation on the board in some form, to be determined through consultation with administration in an effort to battle systemic racism after reading deputy supt. Dr. Karen Penney’s thesis.
“This was inspired by reading Dr. Penney's doctoral thesis on some of the cultural barriers to Indigenous success and the cultural barriers on the Indigenous side and also on the non-Indigenous side,” he said.
“So, I think this is timely because across our country right now we're battling the idea of systemic discrimination so, by making a spot and providing representation for Indigenous on our board this is a good step towards dismantling the systemic racism that exists.”
Mykytiuk said the request is not a reflection on any of the trustees or the work that happens between administration and Indigenous groups living in the division, but that in order to hear concerns there should be actual representation at the table.
“It’s difficult for us on the board with the colonial perspective we have, because we don't have the lived experience. So, I think we need to get Indigenous people on board,” he said.
Supt. Neil O’Shea said he liked the suggestion, agreeing conversations need to take place with Indigenous communities.
“Great suggestion because what I've heard lots of Indigenous people say is 'talk with us about what's best for us’ so, that conversation isn't happening with them,” O’Shea said. “We need to be talking with our Indigenous communities about what would work for them, what they would like to see represented.”
Trustee Dennis MacNeil agreed that the time has been long overdue for the discussion to take place.
“We've been having this discussion for the last couple of years and there's always lots of barriers and I think it's time to start tearing those barriers down,” MacNeil said. “We've talked about this earlier Mr. O'Shea; about being racist and non-racist, and anti-racist. I think this goes a long way to proving that in fact this board is anti-racist and I think that's a message that we need to send.”
Initially the motion included a deadline at the end of October for feedback from the Wisdom Council that Penney works with – a collection of Indigenous representatives across the division who provide guidance for inclusion in schools – but she said replies sometimes take a while to get back to her as the councillors need time to consult and think.
"I'm planning to have a Zoom Wisdom Council meeting early October, but I know when working with eight or nine or 10 wisdom councillors I won't get an immediate answer,” she said.
The motion was accepted unanimously by the board and O’Shea noted it is one more step to add to what Aspen View has already implemented.
“I would make a comment, and I know nobody has said this, but we have taken other steps out of Truth and Reconciliation to move the agenda forward. There are other things that this board has done that shows we are committed to calls for action in the Truth and Reconciliation report that came out,” he said. “But this is an important one and it's one that we need to work on.”
Heather Stocking, TownandCountryToday.com
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