CFJC TODAY: First Nation says it wasn’t consulted in Cariboo-Chilcotin School District’s plan to address anti-Indigenous racism

Image credit: School District 27

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — A First Nation in the Cariboo is calling on School District 27 to include it and other nearby First Nations in the formation of a plan to address anti-Indigenous racism.

In an open letter to the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District’s superintendent and board of education dated Sept. 10, Esk’etemc chief and council say they and other First Nations were not consulted or engaged by SD27 during the development of the district’s Safer Schools Review of Climate and Culture Response Plan.

“This is not the first time we have asked to come to the table. And yet, once again, decisions are being made about us, without us,” Esk’etemc writes. “The Response Plan claims to address systemic racism and improve school climate, yet it was developed in a way that perpetuates the very exclusion and disregard for Indigenous voices that it purports to resolve. This is not reconciliation. This is not partnership. This is not acceptable.”

The district’s plan

In its 10-page response plan document, SD27 says recommendations from its School Community Culture and Climate Review will be implemented. The district notes there are steps in the plan where further actions and planning will arise following collaboration with First Nations.

Recommendations include:

• Engaging the district’s Indigenous education council (IEC) to create plans to address identified issues and concerns specific to First Nations

• Developing an anti-Indigenous racism strategy

• Promoting and improving services and programs for Indigenous education, budget and policy planning and preferential hiring for Indigenous education positions

SD27’s IEC is responsible for working with the school district on advising on policies and procedures that affect Indigenous students and families, identifying Indigenous education needs and gaps in services, among others. The SD27 website lists Esk’etemc as one of 14 voting members on its IEC.

Esk’etemc’s revisions

Esk’etemc says the response plan doesn’t include the explicit acknowledgment of systemic racism within SD27 or the inclusion of Indigenous leadership and voices.

“The Response Plan must clearly articulate how Indigenous leadership, Elders, youth and community members were involved in shaping the review and how they will be central to implementing its recommendations. Co-development is essential to legitimacy and success,” Esk’etemc says.

The First Nation says the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions Calls to Action and the development of an independent process are also missing.

Going forward, Esk’etemc says the response plan must commit to anti-racism and decolonization.

“The Response Plan must move beyond vague language such as ‘celebrating diversity’ and instead make a firm commitment to dismantling colonial structures and embedding anti-racism throughout all aspects of education. This includes curriculum, pedagogy, leadership and school culture.”

The next SD27 board of education meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 22.