The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) is disappointed to learn that a resolution has not been found between a John Howitt Elementary school mother and School District 70 in Port Alberni. Candice Servatius, who has claimed her child was forced to participate in an Indigenous cleansing (not Nuu-chah-nulth specific) of students has filed a petition to the B.C. Supreme Court claiming the district violated the School Act and the Charter of Rights.
Nuu-chah-nulth is not a religion. We are group of Indigenous people who have been here on the West Coast of Vancouver Island since time immemorial. Our language and culture is what makes us unique. Although residential schools attempted to strip every piece of who we are and where we come from, our culture has survived. From songs, dances, artwork, regalia, ceremonies and much more, the act of “praying” is only a small sample of our culture, not our “religion”. The act of “praying” is something very sacred amongst our people. The word “prayer” itself is a term coined by non-Indigenous peoples and religions.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council cannot comment on facts specific to the case, but one thing is certain, Nuu-chah-nulth culture or practices should never be forced upon anyone, especially non-Indigenous people.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council is seeking to create a new working relationship with SD 70 through negotiations of a new Local Education Agreement. While the NTC seeks to have Nuu-chah-nulth culture, in particular our language, alive and present throughout schools in the district, we do not want any student or staff to feel pressured to participate in our culture.
It is important to encourage all cultures throughout our education system. With regard to Indigenous or First Nations culture, the practices of each individual First Nations are unique and many students in the district come from other First Nations. This incident could be a window of opportunity for SD 70 to share not only the culture of people whose territories the school resides on, but all Canadians and their distinct cultural backgrounds. Reconciliation is a two-way street which the Nuu-chah-nulth are committed to.
