Fundraiser aims to launch B.C.'s first urban Indigenous school in Nanaimo
The Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre is leading efforts to launch B.C.’s first urban Indigenous school, as two Indigenous learning centres express concerns about consolidating into the local school district.
In a release, NAC says the Nisaika Kum’tuks Learning Centre and Tsawalk Learning Centre were created to meet the urgent needs of “highly vulnerable and hard-to-engage” Indigenous students living on the Mid Island.
The centre fears that – after it spent seven years building trust with the community – the consolidation will negatively affect students who’ve struggled in the past. Those students may have a hard time transitioning to a larger educational system because of a lack of Indigenous-centred support, according to the centre.
In response, NAC and the Mid Island Métis Nation are applying for an independent school license and a GoFundMe fundraiser is trying to raise $1 million to develop the school.
“The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples articulates that Indigenous peoples have the right to establish and control their educational systems,” says Joy Bremner, president of MIMN. “An independent school would also be a step towards fulfilling some of the calls to action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in regards to the education of Indigenous children with the full participation and informed consent of Indigenous peoples.”
Ian Kalina, the interim executive director of NAC, says Nisaika Kum’tuks Learning Centre and Tsawalk Learning Centre have been helping support students and families who have fallen through the cracks in the traditional education system.
“The goal of this new institution is to build a community-supported environment where learners never even begin to see the cracks in the system, let alone fall through them,” says Kalina.
The school would offer K-12 programming and hopes to open in 2022.
According to the GoFundMe page, the money raised will pay for scholarships, secure a school site, support healing activities and traditional teachings, connect with elders and provide legal support – among other investments.
Tsawalk Learning Centre and Nisaika Kum’tuks Learning Centre are consolidating into the local school district by the end of the month.
Their curriculum combines traditional teachings, culture and academics, along with work experience and trades training.
While Tsawalk serves both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, NAC says, most students are Indigenous and come from single-family homes struggling with poverty and intergenerational trauma as a result of residential schools.
The NAC says a provincial directive has forced the consolidation of the two schools into the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district (SD 68) from the Vancouver Island West school district (SD 84). Asked about the fundraising efforts on Friday, B.C.'s Ministry of Education said in a statement that it did not direct the consolidation and that it is "committed to supporting Indigenous education in B.C."
"The ministry did not direct the consolidation of these programs into SD 68," the ministry said. "The learning centres had been operated by SD 84 within SD 68 boundaries since 2014 and it was determined that the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District would be better suited to operate programs that enroll their student population."
The ministry said it appointed a special advisor to work with the districts, which reached an agreement on the transfer of the programs.
"In May 2020, SD 84 and SD 68 signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming the responsibility of these programs would transfer from SD 84 to SD 68 effective June 30, 2021, and that community partners, staff, parents and students would be fully consulted on any changes to future programming."
Asked for its perspective on the issue, the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district provided the following statement:
“Pursuant to the ministerial order, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (NLPS) and SD 84 are working collaboratively with partner groups, including Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre (NAC) and Mid Island Metis Nation (MIMN), to transition the SD 84 programs, located in Nanaimo, to NLPS. We are aware that NAC and MIMN have applied for Independent School status and are in full support of that application.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.