THUNDER BAY – In an unusual move, Lakehead Public Schools is firing back at a Aboriginal former teacher who claimed the board bumped him from his position as a Native language instructor in favour of a non-Aborginal teacher.
The board, in a release issued on Wednesday, said David Thompson resigned from his job and took his case to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
In an interview, which broadcast last month on CBC Radio, Thompson claimed the teacher who replaced him after he was bumped due to staff cuts, was a business teacher who did not speak Ojibwe.
This is false, the release states.
“In fact, the teacher Mr. Thompson is referring to in his complaint is Indigenous, speaks Ojibwe and has taught the language during the last eight school years,” the release said, adding Thompson’s claim the teacher in questions was a business specialist and has no professional qualifications to teach any language is also not correct.
The replacement teacher, who has not been named, has completed university course in Ojibwe, which he minored in, the board said.
“He received excellent marks in these courses, including advanced Ojibwe language."
The board also refuted Thompson’s claims the decisions being made were based on European-Canadian values.
An elder or Native-language speaker in the community is involved in the recruitment process when it comes to hiring Ojibwe language teachers at Lakehead Public Schools.
“Current teacher staff is required to provide documentation of sufficient qualifications in order to be considered for a Native as a Second Language assignment."
“Lakehead Public schools has an Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee composed of 27 members representing First Nations who, review and receive reports from the teacher teaching the courses and provide input to ensure cultural competency and expand the awareness of effective programs for the educational needs of Aboriginal students.”
Thompson quit his post after one year on Sept. 6.
According to the CBC story, there is no rule requiring Native language classes to be taught by Native people.
