Brandon schools rife with racism, local Nigerians say
More than 20 parents, many dressed in black, joined representatives of the United Nigerians in Brandon Association at Monday's Brandon School Division board meeting to share their concerns about safety and racism in local schools.
The emotionally charged meeting followed the June 10 attack, described by Brandon's police chief as racially motivated, on Chinonso Onuke, a Nigerian-Canadian Grade 10 student at Neelin High School.
Matt Goerzen / Brandon Sun files
Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara speaks with Chinonso Onuke during a recent visit.
'Many Nigerian families in Brandon no longer feel safe,' Ade Adeyemi told the board. 'We don't feel safe sending our children to school, and many of our children no longer feel safe… because of the colour of their skin.
'We are here not to blame, but to urge this board to protect and partner with us,' he said.
Adeyemi shared findings from the group's preliminary survey of the city's Nigerian community. Of 50 responses received within 24 hours, he said, 43 per cent reported experiencing racial discrimination, while half of the parents said they had raised concerns with schools only to see no change.
'The data also showed that students in grades 5 through 8 are especially vulnerable,' Adeyemi said.
The most common issues reported were racial slurs, verbal abuse, exclusion, and in some cases, physical violence, he said.
'We request that the school division publicly release the findings of any recent or ongoing safety audits at Neelin High School or provide a clear timeline for the completion of these reports,' Adeyemi said.
'Also, we urge the division to clarify how racially motivated incidents are currently handled in schools. Specifically, we ask for transparency on how staff are trained to identify and respond to these incidents … and how families are informed and included in the follow-up process.'
Another urgent appeal was for the creation of culturally safe spaces within schools.
Another recommendation was the installation of metal detectors integrated into automated access systems at school entry points.
'These are meant not as a punitive measure but as a proactive one to ensure safer school environments,' Adeyemi said.
The group said students involved in a violent or racially motivated incident should be suspended while an investigation is conducted. It wants monthly updates from the division tracking progress on school safety, responsiveness and student well-being.
Board chair Linda Ross assured the group the board is concerned about those issues. 'We share your horror and heartbreak,' she said.
Trustee Calistus Ekenna, who is a member of the Nigerian community, questioned the group's spokesperson about the statement that the Neelin attack was not isolated.
Adeyemi responded that their recent survey confirms many Nigerian families have long-standing concerns about discrimination in Brandon schools and believe their complaints have often gone unaddressed.
Trustee Breanna Sieklicki made an emotional statement of solidarity.
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'When I heard of the attack, it was very sad, and it breaks my heart to know that anybody is treated differently because of the colour of their skin or any other reason,' she said.
BSD Supt. Mathew Gustafson told the Brandon Sun Tuesday the division is open to investigating any unresolved racial and security concerns.
He said families should first contact school principals, and if issues remain, escalate them to the superintendent's office.
'We take these allegations extremely seriously,' Gustafson said. 'Our values are directly opposed to any form of discrimination, and we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for every student.'
— Brandon Sun
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