A protest outside of the Calgary Catholic School District (CSSD) headquarters took place yesterday, after members of the Reconciliation Action Group (RAG) called for trustees to end the CSSD administration’s public attacks towards a Métis student who was allegedly the victim of a violent hate crime.
In a press release by RAG, it outlines that the student fell victim to a violent assault that took place on Sept. 21, at St. Timothy School. It alleged that 10 to 13 high school students swarmed a single junior high student, which led to serious bodily injury.
It outlined the public attacks by CCSD administration harmed the both the victim and their family, alongside causing distress to other Indigenous Peoples from the continued violence of the Catholic Church and its institutions.
“The Trustees and administration owe this family and the Indigenous communities affected a public apology and commitment to change,” it read.
The protest also calls for accountability and transparency from the CCSD. The group claims that with the CCSD refusing to release their report, it clears all alleged offenders of their wrongdoing.
The group would also like to see an investigation done by an outside third-party into the CCSD’s handling of the attack, including the administration’s investigation procedures.
In a statement by the CCSD, they outline that are deeply saddened by an incident that sparked this protest.
“Multiple individuals who were in attendance at St. Timothy Junior/Senior High School when the incident occurred were questioned, resulting in a far different version of events than the one portrayed by the mother, who was not present,” it stated. “Our truth was based upon multiple witnesses, not a single source. Two of three students involved in this incident were disciplined.
“We are grateful for our hardworking administrators who have dealt with this matter. Cochrane RCMP is investigating; no charges have been laid at this point. CCSD staff, including those at St. Timothy School, support and love all First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples.”
The allegation of assault is still under investigation by the RCMP.
