An Indigenous education group seeking to address representation and funding concerns for First Nations students in the Coast Mountains School District has proposed expanding the district’s school board. The Inter-Tribal Education Committee (ITEC) is advocating for an increase in trustees from seven to nine to better reflect the student population and ensure funds designated for Indigenous education are used effectively.
“That does not reflect the demographics of the student population that are enrolled in the schools. We wanted to balance that at the trustee table,” said ITEC representative Monica Sims, who presented the proposal to the Coast Mountains School District (CMSD) board and local councils. Nearly half of the district’s students identify as Indigenous.
The proposal outlines the creation of four new electoral zones, each representing specific First Nations communities: Haisla Nation, Tsimshian Nation (Kitselas and Kitsumkalum), Gitxsan Nation, and Wet’suwet’en Nation. These zones would be added to the existing five, which represent Kitimat and Terrace with two seats that would be reduced to one each, and Thornhill, Stewart, and Hazelton who would each retain their single seat on the board. The four new trustees from the new zones would be elected directly by the nations during municipal elections, serving standard four-year terms.
Sims noted that the proposal aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, aiming to strengthen First Nations representation in educational decision-making.
Sims first presented the plan to the CMSD board in September. She said she later received a letter acknowledging her presentation, but the board has not indicated whether it supports the proposal. “I’m only guessing they’re waiting to see how this all plays out,” she said.
In response to the proposal, the Coast Mountains’ Board of Education emphasized its commitment to working with ITEC and the Ministry of Education and Child Care to support Indigenous students. “We value this collaboration and are eager to contribute. However, decisions on legislative and electoral process changes will be made by the Ministry of Education and Child Care and Elections BC, as this is beyond the scope of the Board of Education,” the district stated. “We appreciate the opportunity to be involved and look forward to continued collaboration.”
Sims also presented the plan to Kitimat council on Jan. 20, where it was met with interest and encouragement. Councillor Michelle Martins expressed strong support, saying, “I believe there is no equality without equity,” and asked Sims what the district could do to help advance the proposal. Sims requested a letter of support from the council.
Sims also pointed to a $571,000 surplus in CMSD funds designated for Indigenous students that remains unallocated. She said the board is aware of students in need of additional support, but the funds have yet to be used. She added that while the province is aware of the issue, the money continues to roll over into subsequent years without being directed to student needs.
“The greatest needs are support in the classroom. A lot of our students get passed on from grade to grade but haven’t mastered the skills they need to move on, such as math and literacy,” Sims said. “It’s really noticeable at the high school level because students don’t want to be different from other students, so there are behavioural issues because they don’t have support.”
The proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of First Nations and Child Care for review.