Snuneymuxw First Nation and Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools formalized a deal to operate a school district Indigenous language immersion school.
According to a press release, Snuneymuxw and Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district have signed a memorandum of agreement formalizing a relationship to co-govern Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh Community School, which will involve the formation of a joint committee of members from SD68 and Snuneymuxw.
The committee will assume operational responsibility of the school, the press release said, “congruent with honouring Snuneymuxw land and culture,” and the ministry curriculum will be broadened to include Snuneymuxw ways of learning.
Bill Yoachim, acting Snuneymuxw First Nation chief, said the school district and Snuneymuxw have worked together since the school opened four years ago, with “profound” results.
He said by entering into the memorandum of understanding, the First Nation and the school district will form a “powerful relationship … as knowledge partners.”
“We celebrate this moment as an example of how we can re-imagine what is possible together and create lasting positive change for all those connected to this sacred land,” he said.
Charlene McKay, school board chairperson, echoed Yoachim’s sentiments.
“The school district understands that there are gifts and responsibilities that come from being in relationship with Snuneymuxw territory,” McKay said in the press release. “We are proud to walk together and model a way of working together that we hope will inspire meaningful relationship building within communities beyond our own.”
The school opened in south Nanaimo in 2019 and was a federally and provincially funded project. It is open to all school-age children.
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