The Calgary Catholic School District is rejecting claims that an attack on a Métis boy at a Cochrane school was racially motivated, while his mother says the 13-year-old is still reeling — physically and emotionally — from the beating.
In a written statement Tuesday, the CCSD denied the incident was racist in nature, claiming the family has misrepresented what it called “rough play” between students.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
“I believe you have characterized certain events as being racially motivated based on pure speculation and with no credible supporting evidence. I also believe you have intentionally misrepresented our ongoing attempts to meet with your family regarding this matter,” wrote the director in a Sept. 28 letter.
“He’s still suffering . . . our lives have been hell. I would love to know what people think would be in it for us to fabricate any of this.”In a Monday news release, the Reconciliation Action Group said the CCSD isn’t fulfilling its obligations under the Alberta Education Act, Canadian Human Rights Act, the United Nations Declaration of The Rights of Indigenous People or the calls for justice from the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Police investigate group attack on Métis boy at Cochrane schoolEducation Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said he was saddened to hear about the incident, but the ministry could not confirm whether it’s received any complaints about school administrators in relation to the incident.