Wrong message

Rainy River First Nations Chief Jim Leonard said yesterday he feels the incident involving a video of six Fort Frances High School students mocking a pow-wow is being “swept under the rug” by both the high school and Rainy River District School Board.
Judging by their actions so far, Chief Leonards hunch very well may be bang on.
True, Education Director Jack McMaster yesterday acknowledged the “disrespect” the video presented to aboriginal people and pledged to work very hard to “develop a climate of respect for everybody in our system.”
For his part, Fort High principal Gord McCabe talked about the incident as a “learning experience” and “hopefully a growing experience about cultural sensitivity.”
But those fine words ring hollow given the school board has yet (at least as of press time this morning) issued a formal statement condemning the actions of the six students. Nor has there been an admission that racism even exists at Fort Frances High School.
“Holding activities that are going to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of aboriginal culture,” as Mr. McMaster indicated, certainly wont solve whats obviously a festering situation that seems to be on the verge of boiling over.
Equally troubling is how vague the high school has been over just what punishment was meted out. Mr. McCabe refused to be specific yesterday, saying only that the students had been “disciplined.”
Its known the six were kicked off the Muskie girls hockey team prior to Fridays regular-season finale in Kenora, but now theres some confusion over how long this suspension will last or whether it also will apply to other high school sports.
As well, theres unconfirmed word that just one of the students was suspended from school over the incident when the video clearly shows all six were willing and enthusiastic participants.
What kind of message does that send to the student body and community at large? Certainly not that the high school and board are serious about cracking down on racist behaviour—no matter how juvenile or foolish it may be.
Were still waiting, five days after the fact, for the high school and board to issue a strong response to this deplorable incident, not act like theyre more sorry it ever came to light in the first place.
Perhaps they are too busy looking for brooms.