Niagara school board investigates offensive worksheet stereotyping Indigenous people

The District School Board of Niagara is investigating after an offensive worksheet stereotyping Indigenous people was sent home with a four-year-old student at one of their schools.

The worksheet was sent home on Monday and the mother of the student complained that night to the board and the school. Both the board and the school have apologized and have taken immediate action

Not only does the worksheet say “two little Indians are eating ice cream,” but it also has two children dressed in stereotypical indigenous clothing.

Four-year-old Ekkian Christmas didn’t realize what this worksheet meant when he brought it home. His mother Tracee Smith who is from the Oji-Cree First Nation and an educator was surprised and disappointed.

Smith reported it to St. David’s public school and the District School Board of Niagara right away.

The principal reached out to parents apologizing for the offensive worksheet and the school board launched an investigation. They say the worksheet isn’t part of their curriculum and they’re not sure where the teacher got it from.

Kim Sweeney from the District School Board of Niagara says the teachers have the authority to bring learning materials from outside the curriculum into the classroom and this isn’t vetted by the board.

The board wouldn’t say whether the teacher is facing any disciplinary action but they are taking steps to prevent this from happening.

Smith says the board was very professional about the situation and she’s happy with the way they dealt with this buts she’s hoping this doesn’t happen again.

The board says there are resources available on their website for any students who may have been affected by this incident.