Sep 20, 2018 @ 09:20<\/b><\/p>\n
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare is deeply disturbed after learning of the violent incident that occurred at a Manitoulin Secondary School that stemmed from racism.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am in disbelief that our First Nation students are still the target for racism and violence while attending school in this day and age. This is unacceptable,\u201d says Grand Council Chief Hare. \u201cWe have lived and continue to live with the legacy of the residential school era. It is truly shameful and disheartening that the education system in Canada and in Ontario continues to be dysfunctional when they ought to be the leaders for respectful understanding and change for benefit of all students, families and communities. It appears as though there are still some fundamental flaws and issues in this era of reconciliation when our youth are the target of racism in a place where they should feel safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
A violent altercation between a large group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students occurred at the Manitoulin Secondary School (which is overseen by the Rainbow District School Board) resulting in five charges being laid solely on First Nation students by the Ontario Provincial Police.<\/p>\n
Grand Council Chief Hare continues to believe that education is key in combatting racism.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve said it before and I\u2019ll say it again: education is crucial to counter ignorance. Racism stems from ignorance\u2014from the unknown. We need to educate our First Nation and non-Indigenous youth alike so they grow up to be educated and respectful adults that break the cycle where prejudice and racism is perpetuated. If we teach them from a young age, they will instil values in their families and the next seven generations will be aligned with our Seven Grandfather Teachings.\u201d<\/p>\n
M\u2019Chigeeng First Nation will be holding a rally to address the issue of racism in a positive and constructive manner at the M\u2019Chigeeng First Nation Administration Office on September 20, 2018, and will commence at 9:30 a.m. Grand Council Chief Glen Hare will be in attendance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI stand in support of Ogimaa Kwe Linda Debassige, her Council and the community as a show of our intolerance of racism in every form\u2014especially that directed at our children,\u201d expresses Grand Council Chief Hare. \u201cThe Anishinabek Nation demands that all school boards, in particular the Rainbow District School Board, take immediate measures to commit to make their schools the safest place in every way for all children. Our world today demands no less.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information on rally, please contact:<\/p>\n
Ogimaa Kwe Linda Debassige, M\u2019Chigeeng First Nation
\nE-mail: chief@mchigeeng.ca<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Original OPP Media Release, September 15, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n On Friday September 14, 2018 at approximately 12:02 p.m., officers from the Manitoulin-Espanola Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), with the assistance of the United Chiefs and Council of Manitoulin (UCCM) Anishnaabe Police, responded to a disturbance at a Secondary School in Billings Township, Ontario.<\/p>\n The investigation is on-going, with the assistance of the Sudbury OPP Crime Unit. \u00a0Currently, a 15-year-old youth from M’Chigeeng First Nation, Ontario has been charged with:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The youth, who cannot be identified under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been released and is scheduled to appear at the Provincial Court of Justice in Gore Bay, Ontario on September 26, 2018.<\/p>\n The OPP is requesting that any recordings of the disturbance be brought to their attention immediately.\u00a0Public safety is not a concern at this time.<\/p>\n Any person with information regarding the person(s) responsible for this incident should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122, or the Little Current OPP Detachment at 705-368-2200.<\/p>\n\n