The June 14 school board meeting marked Deborah Palmer's last meeting as superintendent of schools, as she will be returning to teaching in the fall.
To mark the occasion, singers, drummers and students from the Sechelt Indian Band, led by former school trustee Lori Dixon, honoured Palmer with a song.
"We're here to offer our good wishes and our positive energy," Dixon said. "It's a sad day, but it's also not too sad because you're not really leaving us. You'll still be here in School District No. 46, and you'll still be paddling the same canoe."
Following the tribute, Kerry Mahlman, principal of Aboriginal programs and services, presented Palmer with a small eagle feather.
"On behalf of all the Aboriginal children and youth, Aboriginal teachers and Aboriginal people in this district, it's my honour and pleasure, in consultation, to be able to give you a feather for your regalia. It's an eagle feather. The feather was gifted to us for this very purpose. Wear it on your regalia with pride," she said.
Palmer was visibly moved by the gesture.
"I just want to tell you from the bottom of my heart how grateful I am I'm truly touched by the honour," Palmer said, while holding back tears.
Board chair Silas White thanked everyone for the ways they honoured Palmer and then gave his own tribute by reading a letter he wrote for the occasion.
"Just as the first group did it in the way they know best, I thought I'd honour Deborah by writing a long letter, which is what I know best," he said.
White said Palmers' term as superintendent has been a challenging one, but noted the District has a page of accomplishments made with Palmer at the helm.
"I think with all that's gone on in a very long four years, you are in fact leaving an illustrious, bumpy, stressful, educational and very busy term that would make a 20-year superintendent blush, so it's really no wonder that you've decided it's been about enough for you. But on the other hand, it's a shame you won't be in this boardroom to see some of the trees we've planted begin to grow fruit," White said.
