Chiefs call for action after teacher questions Fredericton school's powwow
Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon
Indigenous students at Fredericton High School and First Nations leaders feel disgusted and discour‐ aged after a teacher al‐ legedly opposed a powwow held at the school earlier this week.
St. Mary's First Nation Chief Allan Polchies Jr. shared an email Clifford Cull sent to fellow staff about the May 21 event.
In it, the science teacher criticizes the school for hosting the powwow during instructional time. He claims he contacted Education Min‐ ister Bill Hogan and con‐ firmed "these type [of] spiri‐ tual meetings are not en‐ dorsed" by the department.
Cull likens the cultural cel‐ ebration that includes tradi‐ tional drumming, dance, arts, crafts and food, to "having a priest come into FHS and do a prayer vigil with commu‐ nion and the stations of the cross."
"There is an expectation for there to be a separation of state and 'church,'" the email says.
"I am asking that if there is to be a powwow at FHS it be done during non instruc‐ tional times such as lunchtime or after school." 'How dare you'
Polchies reacted with, "How dare you Mr. Cull!"
"Our people have been here from time immemorial.
We share our beautiful cul‐ ture as treaty people. Educa‐ tion is the healing path for‐ ward."
Polchies and the five oth‐ er chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation subsequently issued a statement, saying the email "undermines the cultural sig‐ nificance of powwows, which are vital expressions of our identity, pride and commu‐ nity for our youth."
They contend such com‐ ments reflect broader issues of systemic racism in the New Brunswick education system that "fuels misunder‐ standings towards First Na‐ tion people."
"It is concerning that these views are still present within the educational envi‐ ronment and raises alarms about the social-emotional safety of Indigenous studen‐ ts."
The chiefs are calling for immediate action from the Anglophone West School Dis‐ trict, the New Brunswick Teachers' Association and Department of Education to address the situation "in a manner that protects Indige‐ nous students from further harm."
This would include a thor‐ ough examination of the poli‐ cies and practices that "per‐ petuate anti-Indigenous racism," cultural safety and anti-racism training for all non-Indigenous staff, and a public apology "from the in‐ volved parties, reaffirming their commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive educational atmosphere."
Teacher responds
Cull, who is currently ab‐ sent from school, told CBC News "an in-house email was leaked … or stolen."
"It asked some questions about the powwow," he said in an emailed statement.
"There is an active investi‐ gation into how the NBED email was stolen."
Cull did not respond to questions about whether it's part of a larger investigation into him. But he denied alle‐ gations he tore down posters advertising the powwow and denied he has been sus‐ pended.
He's off sick with a bad ankle, he said, declining fur‐ ther comment.
Posts 'very damaging,' says student organizer
Grade 12 student Purity Moore, who helped organize the school powwow, is leader of the girls' drum group and a member of Kingsclear First Nation, described the situa‐ tion as "very damaging."
"It's very discouraging as a student to know that there's educators in the building that feel that way about your peo‐ ple," and would compare a sharing of culture to a reli‐ gious prayer vigil, she said.
"As an educator you're supposed to create an open and comfortable [environ‐ ment] for students of all cul‐ tures, all ethnicities, all races."
This is particularly impor‐ tant because many Indige‐ nous youth grow up feeling ashamed of that part of themselves, said Moore, 19.
"I think that openly shar‐ ing those views as an educa‐ tor further pushes those chil‐ dren that are ashamed of themselves into a corner.
"And being able to do things [such] as powwows shows younger youth that they can be proud of who they are."
About 60 of the school's roughly 2,200 students are Indigenous, said Moore.
Although many people were talking about the email and posts on the day of the powwow, it didn't spoil the event she and other organiz‐ ers had worked on since Sep‐ tember, she said.
It was beautiful being able to "have that sense of com‐ munity and share culture," she said, estimating about 400 people attended and have been supportive.
"Everyone is like backing us up and like kind of ac‐ knowledging that this is wrong and that these kind of opinions and this kind of stuff, you know … doesn't have any place at Fredericton High School."
School district taking in‐ formation 'very seriously'
The education minister told reporters Friday he had no first-hand knowledge of the situation and would leave steps forward in the hands of the superintendent of An‐ glophone West.
But Hogan said he com‐ pletely supports Truth and Reconciliation and powwows being held at schools.
"I think, you know, it's an integral part of our history that we need to celebrate and to not expose the stu‐ dents to it or have them par‐ ticipate in some aspects of it in school, then that's a detri‐ ment to their learning."
WATCH | 'It's an integral part of our history that we need to celebrate'
Principal Jason Burns de‐ clined to comment, directing inquiries to the district.
The district is "aware that there are emails and posts circulating on social media" regarding the powwow, said spokesperson Paul MacIn‐ tosh.
The district adheres to the department's Positive Learn‐ ing and Working Environ‐ ment policy, he said, noting "any behaviour in violation of this policy is addressed im‐ mediately."
"We are taking informa‐ tion that has come to our at‐ tention very seriously," Mac‐ Intosh said in an email. He declined to elaborate.
MacIntosh did say that powwows are "encouraged and supported" across the district as a way to "share, celebrate and learn about In‐ digenous teachings and cul‐ ture."
"It was a wonderful cele‐ bration of Indigenous culture and community," he said.
"Our school district, schools, and leaders within value the relationships we have fostered with the six Wolastoqey Communities that trust us with their chil‐ dren for public schooling and welcome the opportunity to celebrate and learn about Wolastoqey culture, history, and world views."
Peter Lagacy, president of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association, said he's aware of online postings about the Fredericton High School is‐ sue.
Asked whether the associ‐ ation would support Cull if he faced any disciplinary action, Lagacy said only that it sup‐ ports truth and reconcilia‐ tion.
David Coon, the Green Party leader and Fredericton
South MLA, said he believes the person who wrote the leaked email is just "unin‐ formed" about powwows.
"They're important cultur‐ al events, and it's a great op‐ portunity to really make the requirement that's now in the Education Act around en‐ suring that all students gain an understanding of our rela‐ tionship with First Nations and Indigenous peoples in this province, to make that come alive, you know, off the pages, through exposure to such a cultural event," he said.
"And of course it also no doubt helps create a sense of pride for Indigenous studen‐ ts."