Indigenous Student Voice at Boardroom Table

Kenora Catholic Aims to Put Indigenous Student Voice at the Boardroom Table
Posted on 05/19/2021
Media ReleaseThree students will be sworn into the role of Student Trustee for the Kenora Catholic District School Board at the start of the 2021 – 2022 school year, with the addition of the Board’s first Indigenous Student Trustee.

At the May 18, 2021, Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to amend Policy #9 – Board Operations, to include a third Student Trustee to represent the voice and perspective of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) students across the system. The change in policy will create another permanent Student Trustee position on the Board, increasing the number of Student Trustees from two to three.

Chair of the Board, Teresa Gallik, talks about why this decision is important. “Indigenous education and reconciliation are key priorities for the Kenora Catholic District School Board. Our FNMI student population is over 40 percent, and it’s important that all students have a voice, are represented and that Indigenous student perspective is well-reflected in Board decisions,” says Gallik.

Student Trustees serve a vital role at the boardroom table, representing students in decisions about education and keeping their peers informed about important information that impacts their education. They make monthly reports at the Regular Board Meetings, attend provincial conferences and are called upon to be involved in special projects for the Board.

The Kenora Catholic District School Board has made a number of efforts to improve student success and well-being and engagement for FNMI students. Focus areas for the KCDSB have been the new Graduation Coach at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, the addition of an FNMI Liaison/Life Coach, increased focus on Equity and Inclusive Education strategies, Grade 7/8 Transitional Supports, and Jordan’s Principle implementation.

Julia Tkachuk, the senior mentor Student Trustee, started her term in September 2019 and will be complete at the end of this school year, having served a two-year term. While Maxwell Froese will assume the role of senior mentor Student Trustee at the start of the 2021 school year, where he will mentor and support both incoming Student Trustees.

“We offer a heartfelt thank you to Julia Tkachuk for her contributions over the past two years, and we look forward to welcoming two new students to the boardroom table in the fall to work closely with Maxwell and the rest of the Trustees,” says Teresa Gallik. “I encourage interested students to apply for the role of Student Trustee and make a valuable contribution to the future of the Kenora Catholic District School Board for all students.”

The call for nominations, selection and voting process for Student Trustees will begin in late May with secondary students from St. Isidore Virtual School and St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The incoming Student Trustees will be announced at the June 15 Board Meeting and will participate in their Rite of Commissioning in September.
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