Two First Nations students were honoured with a blanketing ceremony by their community in front of the administrative offices of School District 79 in Duncan Tuesday morning.
Members of Cowichan Tribes have raised concerns that the elementary students, Josephine Campbell-James and Sierra Sillseemult, were treated disrespectfully by their school and the school board a number of times during the past year.
Curtis Rice, Josephine Campbell-James’s father, said his daughter and Sillseemult were so “traumatized” by their treatment from school staff and administrators that their community decided to hold a traditional First Nations blanket ceremony to offer them comfort and show their support for the students.
Members of the school board and administrators, including Superintendent Rod Allen, joined elders and other members of Cowichan Tribes for the ceremony.
Allen said the district recognizes that the two students are hurting and there are families who feel wronged.
He said the district’s participation in the ceremony was about showing the students that the school community supports them and wants to be part of their healing journey.
“Out of respect for the students, their families and the purpose of the ceremony, I won’t get into specific details about the families’ concerns or the steps the school and district have taken in response,” he said.
“This is not about who is right or wrong, this is about two children who need their community to rally behind them and show them that they are seen, heard and cared for.”
Allen said he’s also constrained in releasing details about the issue at this time because it’s a personnel matter that must be kept confidential.
He said he would be willing to discuss the matter further at a later date when more details can be released.
Grand Chief Doug Kelly, chairman of the B.C. First Nations Health Council, is also the uncle of Josephine Campbell-James. He said the school district should be “ashamed” over its treatment of the students.
“Bad things are sometimes said and done, but don’t let them bring you down,” Kelly said to the girls. “Find a way to let it go.”
Kelly reminded trustees and district staff that Canada has entered an era of reconciliation with its First Nations.
“But reconciliation means nothing if you are not looking after the children that you have in your care,” he said.