A pair of Nuu-chah-nulth candidates has stepped forward to run for election as school board trustees in School District 70 and SD 84.
In the Alberni Valley, Tseshaht member Jane Jones brings an extensive background in education, most recently serving as Tseshaht Education Coordinator as well as teaching the Nuu-chah-nulth language at the University of Victoria.
SD 84 covers the West Vancouver Island communities of Zeballos, Kyuquot, Tahsis and Gold River. Candidate Jackie Jack, who is a member of Mowachaht-Muchalaht, is the first member of her nation to run for the local board of education.
On Oct. 29, Jones took part in an all-candidates debate at the Steelworkers Hall in Port Alberni. Greeting the audience in Nuu-chah-nulth, Jones served notice that she would work to improve prospects for all children whose needs are not being met, something that is not exclusive to First Nations children.
Some of the challenges are as elemental as coming to school hungry, Jones said. She acknowledged and thanked the many citizens and committees that have come forward to help provide both social and educational supports, and pledged to improve communications among the various stakeholders, including the board, Political Action Committees and First Nations.
In Gold River Electoral Area, the all-candidates meeting took place on Oct. 30.
Jack, who is currently employed as an Early Years Outreach Worker for the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, is one of five candidates, all new, running for two seats. She is the daughter of Evelyn Corfield (nee Baird) of Ucluelet First Nation.
Zeballos, Tahsis and Kyuquot each elect one member, for a total of five.
Children with autism spectrum disorders frequently need assistive devices, often as simple as earmuffs to block out distracting sounds, Jack explained.
In the 1960s, Gold River was the archetypical resource boom town, beginning with a pulp mill. In the mid-1980s, Tahsis Co. added a paper mill, but by 1999, and following a series of ownership changes, the entire operation shut down. Jack said the community continues to limp along.
As a result of the shaky economy, many families need help with the basics, and just as in Port Alberni, some children arrive at school hungry. Jack said help has been delivered in patchwork fashion.
Likewise, despite the predominance of First Nations children in the Gold River school population, Jack said
While the issue of potential school closures proved to be the hottest topic of the evening in Port Alberni, many candidates also chose to stress the need for improved educational supports.
Incumbent trustee John Bennie emphasized his record in advocating for First Nations students in his opening statement.
On the topic of social supports, candidate Dennis Dalla Vicenza spoke of his involvement with several long-term fundraising initiatives for children, including the existing school breakfast program. Asked later about how SD 70 might reconfigure its alternative education programs, Dalla Vicenza singled out the Vast program as an untouchable.
The Vast program, which allows many First Nations students, especially those with young children, to complete high school, will be required to relocate. Dalla Vicenza said he would consider closing schools to stay within the SD 70 budget, but not Vast.
In the question period, Jones was asked to give her opinion (in one minute) of the province
Jones said one critical change required is to listen to what children are telling us, especially when it comes to basic literacy.
After the meeting, current SD 70 chairman Larry Ransom said he graduated from ADSS in 1974, at the tail end of the residential school era. By that time, he explained, most of the students who were bused in came from out of town, and were even further isolated during the school day.
Ransom said being part of the ADSS replacement project has been a highlight of his tenure on the SD 70 board.
Jones, who is the daughter of Tom and Louise Watts, brings an extensive resume in education, business and administration. She began teaching in Campbell River while raising three daughters, and in 1989, returned to the Alberni Valley to work for the Ministry of Environment,
During that period, Jones served as Cultural Coordinator at Haahuupayak School, developing a Nuu-chah-nulth language curriculum and publishing four books.
Jones said the 14 district aboriginal education workers play a critical role in monitoring the needs of First Nations students in each school. They also create a visible First Nations presence for the greater community.
Jones said that during her time in Campbell River, SD 72 pioneered a First Nations teacher-training program that could readily be adapted to SD 70.
Prior to moving to Gold River nine years ago, Jack was an Aboriginal Education Assistant with SD 68 (Nanaimo/Ladysmith) for 12 years. During that time she also served as a CUPE shop steward and was a founding member of the Aboriginal CUPE BC Committee. She holds a Diploma in General Studies as well as an Adult Aboriginal Learning Facilitators Certificate from Thompson Rivers University.
Jack said her goal as an elected trustee is to help fill some of the existing gaps in the education system in order to deliver the best education for our children.
As a side-note, First Nations members who live on-reserve in Area 1 (Alberni Valley & Rural) are eligible to vote in the Nov. 15 election. Ten candidates are in the running to fill six seats.
Gurmail Aujla has won the single Area 2 (West Coast) seat by acclamation.
