Taunting! Punching! Tripping! Name-calling!

I provide several examples below of how Indigenous children continue to be discriminated against. It has to stop! 

Canada

Canadian Global News journalist Brooke Kruger reported a case in March 2024, of a boy continuously bullied because of his Indigenous heritage.

Ten-year-old Victor Bear and his family moved to the town of Coronach, Saskatchewan, five years ago.

The boy’s aunt, Chasity Delorme, says Victor has been picked on in school since the beginning. Starting with name-calling and taunting, the problem gradually became worse, with a physical attack on the child this year by a school gang. Because he tried to defend himself, he was later blamed as the instigator by the RCMP.

“Victor is a kind young man who once had long, beautiful hair and was once proud of his braid,” Delorme said. “Within a year of living in Coronach, it got to the point where he told his mom he was tired of being called Victoria and he wanted to cut his hair.”

Delorme says asking for support from the Prairie South School Division has been met with vague comments and that nothing has been done to stop the bullying. There is an apparent ignorance and apathy towards cultural diversity and respect. Finally, the family sought help from the Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

“Our First Nation children in this province have every right to be at school without abuse that impacts their mental health so much they consider self-harm,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. He pointed to a recent report by the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service saying Indigenous people constitute 35 per cent of all suicide deaths in the province, despite only making up 17 per cent of the population.

“Schools must embrace diversity, and promoting cultural understanding and acceptance is a must,” Cameron said. “We all have a responsibility to navigate challenging situations and advocate for justice and equality for our children.”

Bear’s mom Spencer Bisgaard said she wants more communication from the school.

My comment: Why, with all the awareness of First Nations rights, are we still hearing about such cruel behaviour by White children? here are their parents? Why are they not teaching tolerance and understanding to their sons and daughters? I believe that, unfortunately, many do not care, and that more laws need to be put in place to enforce right behaviour. Being bullied is a form of torture, and the trauma is long-lasting!

Watch the news cllp here:

Coronach, Sask. boy bullied for Indigenous heritage, family speaks out

 

Australia

Survey: Indigenous students skipping school to avoid bullying and racism

High-profile cases of racial discrimination in sports and on public transport are reporting on the news, but less is heard about racism in schools.

An Australian survey of secondary schools found 80 per cent of students from non-White backgrounds reported experiencing discrimination, mostly at school. The problem is worse in the more remote areas of the country.

There are myriad ways in which racism is damaging to the health, educational and social outcomes of children and young people throughout their lives, starting with them skipping school to avoid being bullied, which in turn leads to poor grades and less opportunities in the work force.

The survey states that more studies need to be done. For example, who are the perpetrators … teachers or peers? Are the perpetrators from the same or different racial/ethnic background, age or sex? What forms of racism are most common and in what context? Cyberfbullying? Or in the classroom and breaktime?

My comment: Studies are helpful. However, in the meantime, these school pupils need support. How about local groups coming together to lead classroom awareness seminars, mentoring sessions, and so on? Help for children is needed now, not after more studies.

Read the report here:

https://theconversation.com/indigenous-students-skipping-school-to-avoid-bullying-and-racism-25433

 

University of British Columbia, Canada: 2021 survey regarding bullying of ethnic children

Read it here:

Half of Canadian kids witness ethnic, racial bullying at school: study

It has to stop!!!