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Kootenay lake school district acknowledges aboriginal territory

Board meetings will begin with showing respect to First Nations.
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The Kootenay Lake school board has unanimously approved a motion requiring all public School District 8 meetings to begin with an acknowledgement of aboriginal people and a show of respect for their traditional territories.

“I am very pleased the board approved this,” said superintendent Jeff Jones. “This acknowledgement is the one to which our district agreed through the development and signing of the aboriginal education enhancement agreement.”

Jones said it was proposed at the most recent meeting of the aboriginal education committee that trustees be asked to consider this.

Every meeting will now begin with these words: “We acknowledge, respect and honour the First Nations in whose traditional territories the Kootenay Lake school district operates and all aboriginal people residing within the boundaries of School District 8.”

The district is home to the traditional territories of both the Ktunaxa and Sinixt First Nations.