M’Chigeeng First Nation is calling out both the Rainbow District School Board and the OPP after a racially charged brawl broke out at Manitoulin Secondary School Sept. 14.
The First Nation held a rally to protest the situation at the M’Chigeeng First Nation Administration Office early Thursday morning. ***
According to media reports, the brawl involved more than 50 students, both male and female, with First Nations and Caucasian students hurling racial insults and then getting into a physical altercation.
Six people have been charged — one adult and five youths — in relation to the incident, the OPP has confirmed.
The police service said it responded to the incident with the assistance of the United Chiefs and Council of Manitoulin (UCCM) Anishnaabe Police.
In the press release, M’Chigeeng First Nation said it has learned that this situation originated between two non-Indigenous students from Little Current and later escalated to involve youth members of M’Chigeeng and other First Nation members in a very "demoralizing and demeaning" way.
Videos have been circulating that clearly show non-Indigenous students and Indigenous students who were involved in the brawl committing acts of assault and violence. M’Chigeeng First Nation chief and council do not condone violence in any way, the press release said.
“Having said this, the M’Chigeeng Chief and Council is concerned that this incident is an indicator of a deeper, more disturbing reality, which is underlying racism that has now reared its ugly head yet again,” said the press release.
“This is a situation that must be acknowledged and tackled head-on or it will keep reoccurring as we have seen over the last few decades.”
The band also said the only charges laid by police have been against M’Chigeeng members when very clearly many non-Indigenous students were involved as well, a situation that has left the First Nation “beyond frustrated.”
“This current situation can easily be construed as a blatant attempt to shift the blame on Indigenous peoples yet again,” the press release said.
“In this supposed age of reconciliation, this is a shameful reflection on where we are as a society.”
The press release goes on to call out the Rainbow District School Board.
The band says it anticipates the results of the board's investigation of a staff member alleged to have made racist comments and expects termination if the allegations are verified.
“This racist language by a teacher who should be setting an example for the students and others cannot be tolerated in this age of reconciliation,” said the press release.
The Rainbow board “must also accept responsibility,” as it has made no attempts at implementation or properly resourcing of any of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations other than producing a nice-looking booklet, the press release said.
“More than lip service must be paid if racism is to be addressed in a meaningful way,” said the press release.
The RDSB has failed to honour or even attempt to foster a “special” relationship with our First Nation as stipulated within the Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement and in the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report and in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the band said.
The press release said the Rainbow District School Board has failed to renew its agreement with the band, which expired Aug. 31, and “has not been responsive to our attempts to discuss the renewal.”
The band said it will evaluate all future Education Agreements, to assess the extent to which the Rainbow District School Board is prepared to support increased levels of Indigenous student success and to create a safe and culturally inclusive learning environment.
“M’Chigeeng Chief and Council take the education, well-being and safety of our students very seriously,” said the press release.
“We feel betrayed not only at the continued lack of concern for student safety and success at MSS while in the care of this institution, but at the institutionalized failure of RDSB to address racism and fostering greater understanding of the history of Indigenous Peoples.”
First Nations contribute “millions of education tuition dollars” to the Rainbow District School Board, trusting that their students will receive a quality education, the press release said.
***This story originally said the protest was taking place on Friday. That was incorrect. It actually took place today.
