O Canada called 'cultural genocide.' Won't be played at school board meetings

'It may be unifying from a Canadian perspective, but fails to acknowledge the nation-to-nation relationship between Canada and First Nations'

School board meetings are not the time for our national anthem say trustees of the Near North District School Board. Photo Jeff Turl

Canada's national anthem won't be played at Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meetings after Indigenous Trustee Ashley Ste. Pierre said, "from an Indigenous perspective, the national anthem represents cultural genocide and the requirement that Indigenous people assimilate to what the settlers wanted."

The issue of playing the national anthem surfaced after trustee Jeanie Fuscaldo filed a notice of motion requesting the anthem be played before all board meetings.

Fuscaldo's motion was seconded by Trustee Louise Sargent to allow discussion, but board members voted down the idea.

According to a Board report, “Trustee Fuscaldo said the national anthem expresses pride in the heritage of people who settled and built Canada, and thought it was an expression of unity."

However, the report adds, Ste. Pierre said she was taken aback when she saw the notice of motion, adding that playing the national anthem is not the way for the Board to move forward, in truth and reconciliation.

Indigenous Education Lead Amanda Mathias Mizzi agreed, saying, "It may be unifying from a Canadian perspective, but fails to acknowledge the nation-to-nation relationship between Canada and First Nations."

Director of Education Craig Myles noted that part of his job was to protect NNDSB from being brought into disrepute, and asked trustees to consider the ramifications of their decisions. He said there are ripple effects, including how the decision would be seen by Indigenous students and staff.

The Board report says," After an emotional discussion, the question was called, and the motion was voted down."

Read the full report here.