(Submitted photo/SD73).

By Aaron Schulze

SD73 Anti-Racism

SD73 implements new anti-racism plan

Mar 22, 2021 | 11:32 AM

KAMLOOPS — A former School District 73 (SD73) student who said current occurrences and experiences of racism were never taught in school played a part in the district’s policy changes.

Mary Falade, the former student who launched a 2020 petition to teach Black history that collected over 1,000 signatures, and Joy Kwak developed an Anti-Racism and Human Rights plan for SD73.

It’s aimed at including perspectives, contributions and experiences of people of colour (POC) in curriculum and school resources.

“The curriculum was largely centered around white people in all subjects,” Falade said. “The history of racial oppression in Canada was always skimmed through and was typically an aside to whatever we were actually studying. It was never a topic of its own. Lack of POC representation in education not only encourages racist behaviour and thinking in white students, but also encourages internalized racism in POC students.

“Young POC that only see white representation, often come to view white people as the standard. By including POC representation, you are not only teaching white students to respect and appreciate POC but are also teaching POC to respect and appreciate themselves.”

Question of the Week

Do you think a minority government could be a positive for British Columbia?

Oct 21, 2024

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of Oct. 14

Oct 20, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: The mind doesn't always listen

Oct 20, 2024

Falade and Kwak are also the co-founders of Motion of Colour, a local youth-led anti-racism organization. Their commitment to change includes watching for the impact of SD73’s anti-racism program on students and staff.

SD73 said training and professional development to address racism is being provided to staff across the district. Anti-racist educational resources have been gathered and provided to schools, along with lesson plans and online resources. SD73 curriculum is being reviewed to ensure it addresses diversity and the experiences of different cultures.