Education-Board Encourages Parents to Apply for Children to Attend Ecole Boreale but Some Face Challenging Odds
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NEWS SPORTS SPECIAL THE Aboriginal Biathlon leaders wraps question up addictions plan HAYH RIVER, NORTHWESTUB TERRITORIES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014 ● 42th Year No. 9 ● $1.00 (.95 + GST) ● PM#40012157 Parents struggle through French school exemptions Education-board encourages parents to apply for children to attend Ecole Boreale but some face challenging odds NNSL file photo Two out of 11 children whose parents apply for exemptions to get into Ecole Boreale were able to walk through these doors as students since the minister of Education, Culture and Employment has gotten the power to make that call. SARAH LADIK principal Stephane Millette. An ongoing legal battle [email protected] "You have to prove French between the Commission heritage with documents and scolaire francophone and The time has come for par- that can be really difficult. I the GNWT saw its latest ents to start enrolling their believe it's contributing to the instalment in late March in children in schools for next tension and the mistrust." the NWT Court of Appeal. September, but some face Last week, Millette held Judgement was reserved on more obstacles than others to an information session for whether the GNWT owed getting their children into the parents with children seek- French schools in Yellow- school of their ing admis- knife and Hay River greater choosing. sion to the and more specialized teach- Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo As a result school who ing spaces – including gyms Ecole Boreale principal Stephane Millette holds a pile of applications from of a minister- ▼ would need – as well as the school board's ial directive in an exemp- power to admit students who parents of small children seeking a ministerial exemption to allow them to 2010, parents "The school board tion. About do not clearly fall within the enroll in the French school. Parents are required to provide historical documen- with children 10 parents first subsection of the Can- tation of a connection to French ancestry. who are not admissions policy attended, adian Charter of Rights and mother-tongue has not been well but he said Freedoms, Section 23. That in other territories and prov- three children aged four, two instruction, as well as cop- French or do defined." the pool section guarantees instruction inces. and one, said she wants them ies of workbooks the children not have par- of people in minority languages in the "The school board admis- to go to French school and has completed in French before ents who were Stephane Millette ▼ who would country, either French or Eng- sions policy has not been well submitted an application to even attending school. educated in like to send lish, depending on the juris- defined," Millette said, adding the minister for an exemption. As for the historical docu- French, but still their kids to diction. that the lack of strict direction "It's stressful," she said. ments, Stanley said she and have a claim to Ecole Bor- Millette agrees with the and definitions has caused "We're trying to come up her family have to rely on francophone eale is prob- school board's lawyer Roger confusion that is now con- with as much legal reason- relatives to have kept things heritage, must apply directly ably larger. Out of 11 appli- LePage that the case will tributing to discussions about ing as possible, but sometimes to some extent, and have put to the minister of Education, cations to the minister since probably go to the Supreme who has the right to receive physical documents don't exist out a call to everyone on her Culture and Employment for the directive came into effect, Court of Canada. Minority instruction in French in the or are hard to find." husband's side of the family, an exemption and the right to only two have been accepted. language school boards across community. Included in many appli- the source of her children's attend Ecole Boreale. There "Informing parents of the the country (except the NWT But, as complex and cation packages are letters French heritage, for any evi- are currently 91 students situation is a big thing," he and Yukon) have the right nationally significant the liti- written by grandparents and dence of a francophone past. attending the school. said. "With the ongoing court to decide who attends their gation may be, the effects are great-grandparents in French, "I can write down his "It puts the families and the case, no one is sure where schools and a decision in the also being felt closer to home. school report cards show- mom's story," she said. "But school in a tough spot," said they stand." NWT would have impacts Nancy Stanley, mother of ing some French-language how do I prove it?" A2 ▼ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014 www.hayriverhub.com www.hayriverhub.com WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014 ▼ A3 Did we get it wrong? Hay River Hub is committed to get- ting facts and names right. With that goes a commitment to acknowledge mistakes and run corrections. If you spot an error in Hay River Hub, call Easter hunt 874-6577 and ask to speak to an editor, or e-mail [email protected]. We'll get a correction or clarification in as soon as we can. NEWS 'eggstravaganza' Briefs Daycare offers openings Dene Tseh Tsudaa daycare on the Hay River Reserve is now tak- ing applications for early learn- ing and child care sessions in the spring and summer. The programs are open to any child more than six weeks old and all meals and snacks are sup- plied by the organizations. The facility offers both indoor and out- door activities run by trained staff, including South Slavey instruction. Family and prepayment dis- counts are available. Legion puts chili to the challenge The Hay River Legion will be hosting its 9th Annual Chili Chal- lenge April 26 beginning at 4 p.m. There is no fee to enter, but only room for 15 participants on a first-come-first-served basis. Prize for first place is two return tickets to Yellowknife on Buffalo Air- ways, with other prizes awarded for second and third place as well. Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo Participants do not have to be Brieal Fabian, left, and Madelaine Fabian play with balloons at an Easter celebration April 19 at the Soaring Eagle Friendship members of the Legion to enter, Centre. although they must do so before 7 p.m. April 25 to be eligible to compete. Registration packages are avail- Community organizations and local governments mark holiday able at the Legion and interested parties are encouraged to call the SARAH LADIK "But some aren't and we just their own Easter feasts the following Pekok, adding that she hoped to cap- branch for more information. [email protected] wanted to plan something that would day, the food was plentiful but quite italize on the warmth and longer day- be fun for families." simple. light hours for the evenings events. Playschool auction back While the town does tend to The centre had an Easter Egg hunt "It's nothing fancy, just good The K'atlodeeche First Nation for 21st year empty out during spring break when for small children on Saturday even- home-cooked food." hosted a barbecue Easter Sunday at The Hay River Playschool will kids and parents have some time off, ing, followed by a feast and a dance. Besides the food and chocolate the Chief Lamalice Complex, and be holding its ever-popular talent Hay River organizations made sure Pekok said the last time they hosted anticipated for the next day, Madel- the Town of Hay River also got in auction May 3 at the Community anyone who stayed home was not something similar about 85 people aine Fabian said one of her favourite on the fun. Hall in the Don Stewart Recreation forgotten this Easter. attended. things about spring is riding her bike, The Don Stewart Recreation Centre. "We know a lot of families are "We have fun, and it's nice to get though jumping in puddles and play- Centre put on an Easter Eggs- It will be the 21st annual fund- away for the weekend," said Sharon out in the spring time and do things ing outside came in close second. travaganza complete with an egg- raiser of its kind for the organiza- Pekok, executive director of the Soar- as a family," she said, adding that as "The warmer weather is really hunt in the pool, free swim and tion and will be western-themed. ing Eagle Friendship Centre. she expected people would be having bringing people out again," said crafts for all ages. Cocktails begin 6:30 in the even- ing with supper served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and are avail- able at Rings Pharmacy and Home Hardware. A dance will follow the auction itself at about 10 p.m. Depression workshop to start in May The community counselling team will be offering a depression workshop for a maximum of 12 participants from May 1 to June 19. The eight-week course will focus on education, discussion and skill-building for adults with symp- toms of depression. Individual ses- sions will include workshops on setting attainable goals, lifestyle factors that influence depression and overcoming negative thinking. KFN seeks youth volunteers for board Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo K'atlodeeche First Nation jus- tice co-ordinator April Martel is TO THE VICTOR GO THE SPOILS seeking youth volunteers to sit on The winning team in the Hay River Community Youth Centre's Easter egg scavenger hunt included Roxy Beaulieu, left, Jasmine the organization's board.