Two months after a First Nations education committee called for representation on the Coast Mountain School District 82 board, the district is still exploring the proposal.
The Inter-Tribal Education Committee (ITEC) urged the board Sept. 25 to increase its size from seven to nine members with the Gitxsan, Tsimshian, Haisla and Wet'suwet'en peoples to each elect a representative.
There is no Indigenous representation on the board now and, historically, it has been made up of non-First Nations people.
"This interferes with First Nations' ability to have a consistent voice about the public education services and developments in our local and collective communities," wrote Kitsumkalum band manager Steve Robert in advocating for the plan.
The board responded to the proposal, but avoided a decision. It did, however, acknowledge the educational gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous students. And it said it is brought in a program to pay specific attention to Indigenous students.
"The Board of Education is interested in engaging and working with ITEC to enhance our collective responsibility for the success of all Indigenous learners while increasing knowledge of and respect for Indigenous culture, language, history and respecting the uniqueness of First Nations communities and their diversity" the board state in a letter sent to the commiitee.
The current board makeup has Terrace and Kitimat with two seats each, while Stewart/Meziadin, Hazelton and Thornhill have one each. The First Nations proposal would give each of Terrace, Kitimat, Stewart/Meziadin, Hazelton and Thornhill one seat with the remaining four going to the area's predominant First Nations.
It further defines the four First Nation electoral areas as being Kitselas and Kitsumkalum for the Tsimshian, Kitamaat Village for the Haisla, Gitanmaax in the Hazeltons for the Gitxsan and Hagwilget, also in the Hazeltons, for the Wet'suwet'en.
"There still needs to be consultation with other groups such as the unions, communities within these electoral areas, band councils and other interest groups, so still a lot to be done over the next couple of months," said Monica Simms, ITEC chair and education advisor for the Gitxsan Government Commission.
Kitsumkalum education coordinator Marian Kotowich-Laval noted that the committee will meet to flesh out the plan early in the new year. "ITEC has a lot to do to prepare for the next electoral cycle, including more public exposure about this effort," she said.
"The ITEC have been working on improving the education system for Indigenous children for decades, and on this proposal for over two years with community partners and the Ministry of Education" wrote Roberts.
"The struggle we are seeing is that we are not partners in our children's education," said Kotowich-Laval. First Nations students make up roughly 47 per cent of the district. Four specific First Nations trustees would provide 46 per cent representation on the board.
"The research is very clear that we are nowhere close to being on par with non-Indigenous students," said Kotowich-Laval, adding she would be elated if the proposal was accepted.
"We would actually be able to enact better changes for our children's future," she said. "Proportional representation on the board would allow for Indigenous students to be taught and learn in a way that best suits their ways of life," she continued.
"We see life a little different. We know our children and we know our education."
This proposal aligns with the principles outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, B.C.'s United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the B.C. Education Act Bill 40 Amendment in 2023.
"I think proportionate representation on the board will bind us in a better way, collectively as a society and as a community here within the Coast Mountains School District," said Kotowich-Laval.T
