Local First Nation working with SD57 to address systematic racism within district

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation will be taking steps to address the report that found many examples of behaviors and practices that are clearly discriminatory and systemically racist within School District 57.

Special advisors Kory Wilson and Catherine McGregor published the report a few weeks ago, and SD 57 Board Chair Trent Derrick and Vice-Chair Shuirose Valimohamed resigned from their roles shortly after. 

Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan says she will work alongside the newly appointed Chair, Sharel Warrington, and Vice-Chair Ron Pollilo along with the special advisors to implement the new recommendations made in the report.

“What we need going forward is everyone committed to ensuring quality education for all of our students within SD57. We need everyone to work collaboratively and cooperatively for all the benefit of the kids,” she explained.

Chief Logan says the report clearly outlined that there is much work that needs to be done at the Board level and recognize some of the challenges Indigenous students and staff have faced over the years.

“The grad rates of our First Nation students are very low, we need to improve on those immensely. The relationship between SD57 and the community and the Mcleod Lake Indian Band and other Indigenous communities and organizations need to be improved,” she stated.

Lheidli T’enneh board members will be meeting with the special advisors soon to go over the report and start planning ways to address the concerns.

“We don’t want this to be a very slow process, we want these changes and recommendations to be rectified A.S.A.P, not two years from now, not four years from now. We have students, all students that need this to be done this year.”

Chief Logan adds she is disheartened to see Derrick and Valimohamed leave but promises to continue to work to improve the experience for Indigenous students and faculty members within SD57.

The school district will be holding a by-election this Fall to elect new trustees.