qathet School District (qSD) held one last board meeting on Wednesday, March 13, before adjourning for a two-week spring break for teachers, staff and students.
qSD board chair Jaclyn Miller began the meeting with an update about the expansion of daycares in the school district.
"The modular delivery and installation of the daycare at Edgehill Elementary School happened in early March and we are one step closer to creating more spaces, and support for families, with child care," said Miller in her opening remarks. "As you know, the forest behind Edgehill Elementary, known as the Treaty Settlement Land, is part of the Tla’amin Territory. The Nation generously permits our school to use outdoor classrooms on their land, accessed through the trails located at the back of the school’s field."
Miller stated that last year Thichum Forest Products logged a large portion of this forest because it was considered unhealthy.
Thichum is a company that works on behalf of Tla’amin Nation members to sustainably manage natural forestry resources.
"The time has arrived for them [Thichum] to replant the trees, and Thichum extended the invitation to our Edgehill students to help with their silviculture experiment," said Miller.
She added that qSD is looking forward to reflecting on Tla'amin Day, which is April 5, the effective date of the Tla’amin Treaty that took place April 5, 2016. The final agreement between Canada, BC and Tla'amin under the BC treaty process recognized Tla'amin self-governance.
"It is a day when we should all reflect on our reconciliation journey with Tla’amin, acknowledging the steps that we have taken to move forward, and those that are still needed," said Miller. "In September 2023, we announced the change of name for our school district to qathet School District. A commitment to truth and reconciliation as well as a priority to support self-determination is woven throughout our strategic plan as we work to make our schools more welcoming and inclusive places of learning."
Miller highlighted two programs currently running in qSD, including Guided Indigenized Journey to Excellence Academy, a land-based, experiential and culturally immersive program.
"[This program] honours Indigenous knowledge and ways of being that provide students with a safe, holistic and identity-affirming education while offering credits towards their graduation," said Miller. "Secondly, the ʔayʔajuθəm Immersion program offered at Cousin’s House for kindergarten and grade one students to learn the ʔayʔajuθəm language."
Miller said the two programs highlight qSD’s collaboration with Tla’amin’s education department and the school district's commitment to creating the conditions that will provide a high-quality education for every student to succeed in school and in life.
The next qSD board meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 10, at the school board office, located at 4351 Ontario Avenue.
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