PG School District says Aboriginal community still well-represented despite concerns

The Prince George School Board has received concerns on the status of aboriginal representation in School District 57.

The Aboriginal Education Board has been renamed as the Aboriginal Education Committee, causing some confusion among the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council.

Board of Trustees Chair Tony Cable says the name is the only thing that has changed.

“The thing that has stayed the same is that there is representation from the various aboriginal groups in the community from elders to different leaders and all of our aboriginal children are well-represented.”

Cable says the board has been consulting with the Carrier Sekani on a regular basis.

“Our superintendent has been corresponding back and forth with Terry Teegee and explaining the composition of the new committee and how it works.”

While he welcomes input at future board meetings, Cable also says talking for five minutes at a time to the other trustees won’t clear up confusion right away.

“We just don’t want to waste people’s time and have to come to board meeting after board meeting. We will continue to reach out, write letters, and try to explain things, but possibly we may have to look at a face-to-face meeting in the future.”

At Tuesday night’s meeting, Don Sabo spoke on behalf of Tribal Chief Terry Teegee, who said his community is concerned the District isn’t providing further details on if big changes are coming aside from the new name.