Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Peace River School Division (PRSD) recently implemented an Anti-Racism Policy, that the Division has been working on creating.
An Anti-Racism Committee was established, with members of staff from across the Division, to create a more inclusive future for its students and staff.
Supt. Jeff Thompson says the work completed by the committee was well thought out and executed over a long period of time.
“This is work the board has been embarking on for quite some time,” Thompson explains.
“The creation of the policy is to ensure inclusion of everyone in our system,” he adds.
Thompson says PRSD will now be working on implementing the policy from a governance to operational phase, and the Division is dedicated to supporting key initiatives. These include enhancing communication about the policy with PRSD staff, students, and communities, and providing opportunities for administrators to discuss and develop best practices for addressing racism and discrimination in schools.
“We will be reviewing all of our administrative procedures and policies to ensure they align with cultural and racial inclusivity outlined in the policy,” he explains, noting it will likely be a very long process.
“We want to ensure our hiring practices align with the policy, will look at Human Resources policies and review each one of them, and will be going though all our operational policies to ensure they align.”
Thompson says their goal is to commence with the most heavily-used procedures at the Division first and to review with the schools’ principals.
“We hope to help students feel more connected,” he says.
“As we review our procedures, we will be communicating with the board to share the work we are doing to align with the new policy,” he adds.
PRSD is committed to ensuring a welcoming and equitable learning environment. So far, the Division has created White Buffalo Lodge at Peace River High School, a dedicated space where teachers can bring classes in to participate in a smudging circle.
The staff at Grimshaw Public School are planning the creation of a medicine garden.
Metis Fiddler Linda Duford has taught Metis fiddling to students in PRSD many times.
Students from schools in the Division has also participated in land-based learning activities and students assisted in preparing tobacco bundles for their community’s Sister in Spirit Walk.