Editor's note: Rewind is a look back at some of the top stories in North Bay in 2023. BayToday will put these stories into a year-end reader’s poll to decide the “Story of the Year."
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Originally published on April 6, 2023.
It appears the Near North School Board is not prepared to listen to protests about renaming Chippewa School.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the Board Chair Erika Lougheed, who speaks for the Board says for some students, school is neither welcoming nor inclusive.
"It is therefore incumbent on NNDSB to make changes that reflect our commitment to equity, safety and well-being," says the statement. The board understands that there is sentiment attached to the name of Chippewa Secondary School, which has been part of North Bay for decades and has graduated thousands of students. But not all former and current students feel the same sense of pride."
The statement goes on to say, "For many, the name of the school, its mascot, and affiliated activities represent an appropriation of culture. The name has been used to perpetuate racist activities that affect student well-being."
In 2017 the Board of Trustees approved the consolidation and outlined the process, including the renaming of Chippewa.
At its December 2022 meeting, a report which outlined the rationale for the name change was presented to the Board.
"Included in the rationale is a desire to create a new identity that will create a psychologically safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff including the staff and students that came from the former Widdifield Secondary School," continues the statement.
"The name change is also NNDSB’s acknowledgement that the Chippewa name was and is painful for some former and current students and staff."
"School community members who may not have children at the school have shared their concerns with the principal. She has been told female Indigenous students have been called “chippe-squaws” both in the past and present. Tomahawk tournaments and stereotypical chants are a recent memory for most. The harm that has been done to these students is unacceptable," reads the staff report authored by Superintendent Gay Smylie.
However, in its report, the Board doesn't present any direct evidence of the claim.
"The Chippewa name change is indicative of the board’s resolve to move forward with First Nations and Indigenous partners in Truth and Reconciliation," continues the report, but apparently local Indigenous leaders were not consulted.
See: Keep the Chippewa school name says one Indigenous local leader
"School boards have a role to play in education regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. Number 63 specifically notes that in education, student capacity needs to be built for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect. To that end, NNDSB is presently engaged in a comprehensive process of Indigenous Education; ultimately to improve well-being and achievement for all students."
A petition to keep the name Chippewa now has almost 3,000 signatures.
See: 'People who have signed the petition may not have a full understanding of the issue' Lougheed
The issue has been a controversial and emotional one for the community, with over 86 per cent of 2,851 votes cast in a BayToday poll opposed to the name change.
