Union of BC Indian Chiefs: Call for Investigation into Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination and Racism at SD #27

Resolution no. 2024-42

The original resolution can be found here.

WHEREAS Esk’etemc Chief and Council have been advocating for two and a half years to have the Ministry of Education and Child Care (MECC) address the claims of bullying, harassment, discrimination and racism at School District#27 as shared in testimonials and letters from Esk’etemc children, youth, families, and support staff;

WHEREAS correspondence and meetings between Esk’etemc leadership, staff and the Minister of Education and Child Care (Minister) along with MECC staff has occurred including a July 4th, 2024 meeting held by Bakau Consulting (Bakau) between MECC staff and Esk’etemc leadership to support a review of School District#27. Shortly after this meeting Bakau withdrew citing irreconcilable differences between MECC and School District#27;

WHEREAS Esk’etemc children, youth, families, and support staff who work for School District#27 continue to experience bullying, harassment, discrimination and racism. In response, Esk’etemc continues to request that the Minister advance an immediate investigation into bullying, harassment, discrimination and racism at School District#27;

WHEREAS the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN Declaration), which the government of Canada has adopted without qualification, and has, alongside the government of B.C., passed legislation committing to implement, affirms:

Article 15: States shall take effective measures, in consultation and cooperation with the indigenous peoples concerned, to combat prejudice and eliminate discrimination and to promote tolerance, understanding and good relations among indigenous peoples and all other segments of society.

Article 18: Indigenous peoples have the right to participate in decision-making in matters which would affect their rights, through representatives chosen by themselves in accordance with their own procedures, as well as to maintain and develop their own indigenous decision-making institutions;

WHEREAS by UBCIC Resolution 2021-35 the UBCIC Chiefs Council called upon the provincial government to ensure that First Nations title and rights holders provide their free, prior and informed consent and will be considered as key decision-makers in advancing anti-racism structures, initiatives and legislation; and

WHEREAS given the bullying, harassment, discrimination and racism that Esk’etemc members have experienced, Esk’etemc would like to ensure they are involved in conducting the investigation and would like to retain two First Nations representatives to participate. Esk’etemc requests that MECC provide these representatives with the necessary access and funding needed to conduct this investigation, which will aim to identify key challenges and propose solutions for MECC, Esk’etemc and others to stop bullying, harassment, discrimination and racism in School District#27.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the UBCIC Chiefs-in-Assembly join with Esk’etemc in seeking a comprehensive investigation by the Ministry of Education and Child Care (MECC) into the bullying, harassment, discrimination and racism in School District#27 that Esk’etemc members have experienced;

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the UBCIC Chiefs-in-Assembly join with Esk’etemc and request that MECC include two Esk’etemc representatives in the investigation team, and ensure they have the necessary access and funding needed to participate in the investigation;

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the UBCIC Chiefs-in-Assembly direct the UBCIC Executive and staff to draft a letter supporting Esk’etemc’s request for an immediate investigation to be conducted by MECC; and

THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED the UBCIC Chiefs-in-Assembly direct the UBCIC Executive and staff to hold MECC accountable and ensure a comprehensive investigation begins immediately with regular reports back to Esk’etemc and the UBCIC Chiefs Council to ensure fulsome and meaningful engagement.

Moved: Kukpi7 Fred Robbins, Esk’etemc

Seconded: Judy Wilson, Osoyoos Indian Band (Proxy)

Disposition: Carried

Date: September 24, 2024