A 15-year-old boy who was excited and proud to wear his traditional regalia for picture day at his school was allegedly questioned by his teacher.
The boy, who Glacier Media is not naming, was excited to wear his regalia to Mount Elizabeth Secondary School in Kitimat on Nov. 1. His excitement quickly turned to confusion when his teacher allegedly asked him in front of the class, ‘What’s up with the costume today?’
“He’s part of the local dance group here and does First Nation artwork and loves the stories. He’s proud,” says his mother, Stacey Smith.
“It was picture day and it was his choice to wear it. He wasn’t doing anything to bring a negative outlook on it,” she says. “If anyone knows him personally, they would know this is a passion of his, it’s something he’s proud of."
The incident first came to light when her husband and the boy’s stepfather, Alex Grant, posted about the incident on social media.
“He was pretty upset about it and so are we," writes Grant on Facebook.
Haisla Nation Council says it's disappointed to hear of the "troubling" incident.
"We join our membership in expressing our deep disappointment about the incident and stand by all of our membership — including our youth — who wish to honour our culture and traditions in school and elsewhere,” states Haisla Nation Council in a press release.
The council says it's working with the school to address what transpired and make sure youth feel safe and welcome to express themselves in school in Kitimat and the region.
In a written statement sent out on Nov. 2, the Coast Mountains Board of Education (School District 82), states that senior leadership, parents from both communities and leadership of the Haisla Nation are working together.
“We have met with parents and have agreed that we will work on this matter together,” states the release. “Our school district values diversity and expects that students have the ability to express pride for their rich culture in word and action.”
Janet Meyer, superintendent of schools, added that the appropriate steps are being taken to ensure Haisla culture is alive and visible.
The teacher has not been publicly named by School District 82, nor has it stated what actions have been taken, if any, at this time.
Since the incident, fellow classmates have shown their support by standing outside Mount Elizabeth Secondary School on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.
Smith says her son has been touched by the support.
