The Tyee: Education Minister Ditches Meeting about School Racism and Bullying Concerns

Lisa Beare was to visit the Esk’etemc of the Secwépemc Nation and a concerned parents’ group.

A First Nation and a concerned parents’ group in B.C.’s central Interior say they are disappointed that Education Minister Lisa Beare cancelled plans to visit the region and hear long‑standing concerns about bullying and racism in the local school district.

Esk’etemc Kúkpi7 Fred Robbins starts the July 30 meeting with singing and drumming.

The meeting went ahead anyway, in the small community of Esk’et, about 50 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake, without the minister.

The July 30 event was arranged after what the Esk’etemc of the Secwépemc Nation described as years of trying to bring attention to unaddressed racism issues within the Cariboo‑Chilcotin School District (School District 27).

The Tyee previously reported that some community members are concerned with discrimination and violence in the local school system. They allege students, teachers, and support workers have been targeted by racism and bullying.

At least one student chose to leave the district, telling The Tyee they no longer felt safe at their local school and instead graduated this spring in Vancouver, 600 kilometres from home, after the district failed to respond adequately to bullying incidents.

At least half a dozen Esk’etemc students simply refuse to attend school, Kúkpi7 Fred Robbins told The Tyee.

After a half‑hour virtual meeting with the nation in May, Beare was invited to visit Esk’etemc territory. The invitation was accepted in June, and the meeting was scheduled for late July.

However, Beare cancelled on July 25, according to a statement issued by Esk’etemc and Concerned Parents and Caregivers of Williams Lake. School District 27 representatives, who had also planned to attend, sent their regrets a few hours later.

“We have been told the minister’s door is open to a government‑to‑government meeting,” Robbins said. “We will go back to the drawing board to figure out how quickly we can get that meeting to happen to help move forward with solutions to address racial violence and bullying in our local school district.”

The Education Ministry provided a statement in response to The Tyee’s request for comment but did not clarify the cancellation. They did say the meeting with Esk’etemc leaders will be rescheduled “at a later date.”

The Tyee did not receive a response before deadline from School District 27 Superintendent Cheryl Lenardon.

The grassroots group Concerned Parents and Caregivers of Williams Lake, launched in early 2024, was formed in response to what members describe as inadequate handling of bullying in local schools. The group began working with Esk’etemc in the fall.

Despite the minister and district representatives not attending, the meeting on July 30 proceeded with Union of BC Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip in attendance.

The agenda included a presentation on Esk’etemc history and culture, along with a discussion about a school culture review conducted by Surrey-based Safer Schools Together.

That review was launched in response to calls for a thorough investigation of the school district in partnership with the nation. Both Esk’etemc and the concerned parents’ group have described the review as inadequate.

They noted that although the review lists Esk’etemc leadership as consulted, consultation was limited to a single preliminary meeting and did not include feedback on the process or analysis.

The ministry and district have pointed to this review as a step toward rebuilding trust in the local school system.

“We hope this transparent review helps invite people into the process,” Lenardon said in a statement, “for us to discuss and work together on programs and solutions.”

Beare said in her statement that her office is collaborating with Esk’etemc leadership and the local district “to explore ways to advance student success.” She reiterated her commitment to supporting local leadership, building trust, and moving forward government-to-government, and said she had directed the district to implement recommendations from the Safer Schools Together review.

“I know the district also shares my commitment to ensuring all schools are safe, supportive spaces for both students and staff.”

A heavily redacted version of the 171‑page final report, released publicly in July, shows Safer Schools Together found a “mixed narrative” regarding student safety, racism, and other school safety concerns.

Some questionnaire responses “suggested a perceived imbalance in the focus on Indigenous culture and perspectives,” while feedback from Indigenous leaders and council members “expressed a need to address the racist attitudes exhibited by some educators and students.”

The report also warned that “extensive coverage and dialogue of school district issues within the broader community creates a narrative that may not accurately represent the experiences of all parents and Indigenous communities regarding racism and student safety.”

It called on the district to develop a “comprehensive work plan” to implement the report’s recommendations, including a communications strategy and collaboration with First Nations to address concerns.

The redacted sections included “feedback from community partners” and “feedback from Indigenous leadership,” both entirely omitted from the public version, along with feedback from students and educators.

In response to The Tyee’s request, the ministry cited sections of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act that protect privacy and policy advice as reasons for withholding the redacted information.

The Tyee has asked B.C.’s Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to review the ministry’s decision.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip remarked that he was “honoured to be invited to Esk’et” for the “very important meeting.”

“I raise my hands to those who took these brave steps to share their stories,” he said. “UBCIC looks forward to working together alongside Esk’etemc and Minister Beare on the fulsome implementation of the province’s review in School District 27 and to creating meaningful solutions and lasting change for the well‑being of young learners across the province.”