News TheReview Wednesday, December 23, 1992 — A118 Educator says First Nations values may dominate society By the next generation, the Native population in some parts of Canada may outnumber the non- Native population, according to Brentwood resident Denis Hall, a specialist in native education. MARCHING IN TUNE during the Santa parade in Sidney earlier this month were musicians from Parkland Secondary School. Safety fears halfed ski trips Memory of a tragic accident ten years ago shadowed debate on school-sponsored ski trips at the Dec. 14 school board meeting. A fatal bus accident in 1982 involving Saanich district students participating in a ski trip to Mt. Washington eventually led to.a ban on such trips. Trustee Marilyn Loveless said the accident, attributed to a mechanical defect on the bus, led to a board policy that no buses over 10 years old would be hired by the-district to transport students. However, following the accident, the board reviewed school- sponsored ski trips and passed a policy forbidding the trips. Stelly’s student council prime minister Steve Thomas asked school trustees to review the pol- icy. “Other outdoor activity trips, such as the Mt. Albert Edward hike and the Nitinat canoe/hike are popular with Stelly’s students. In the past, ski trips have proven to be successful,” Thomas wrote. “Teachers also show interest in volunteering to help in the organi- zation and planning, if we are granted permission.” Loveless said the major problem with ski trips 1s safe supervision of students on the ski slope. “Should the district assume the liability for that type of activity?” she asked. Even if teachers are willing to sponsor ski trips, she suggested it might be better for the board to protect its staff against liability by not allowing the trips. Chairman Graham Hill agreed there was a safety concern. He described the hazard as “young people, being more or less unsu- pervised, zipping down mountains at 50 miles per hour.” Hill added that ski trips are expensive, so not all students can afford to participate. Trustee Peter Garnham ques- tioned the educational value of ski tips. Trustees Peter Shewring and David Christian agreed the issue needs to be reviewed by the board, both on the grounds of safety and educational value. Shewring noted other students in the district have also proposed school-sponsored ski trips. Board members agreed students from Stelly’s could make a presen- tation on the issue to the district’s education directions committee. STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT YOUR MONEY. r aa jae ff_| saniFeo Isa [Aor May. boy 15 i c (Rates Subject to Change without Notice) RON GURNEY FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD. FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS - LIFE UNDERWRITERS SUITE 10A — 9843 2nd St., SIDNEY (In Marina Court) 656-9393 Although the non-native popu- lation have imposed their values on native people for the past 200-plus years, Hall predicts the reverse may be true in the future. “Given the fact that the First Nations people could outnumber the immigrants (mon-natives) in Specific municipal jurisdictions within the next 30 years and in some provinces within the next 60 years, it appears that First Nations people will soon be in positions to impose their values on the immi- grants,’ Hall observes. Drawing on his 20 years’ expen- ence as a teacher, an administrator and a program developer serving First Nations people in both urban and reserve settings in western Canada, Hall notes there are now two distinct cultures on western Native reserves. The first culture is the onginal, traditional culture of the First Nations, which pre-dates the arrival of European explorers. This culture includes such val- ues as respect for nature, belong- ing to the land, equally shared ownership of everything everyone possesses in a community, spiri- tuality, patience and organizational informality. By contrast, Hall says the values of the immigrant cultures include urgency, dominion over the envi- ronment, private ownership, profit- making and formal organizations. “Tn fact, certain traditional rites and rituals of the First Nations peoples represented such an affront to the values of the immi- grants that any participation or promotion of such activities was made illegal, e.g. the potlatches where First Nations people gave away their possessions as opposed tO gaining possessions.” However, Hall said there is a second culture on reserves caused by the domination of the immi- grant culture. This second, aberrant culture is characterized by social problems, learned dependency, poverty and rootlessness. 106 - 2506 Beacon Landmark Building 655-1970 Hall warned this culture is increasing among First Nations people and suggested that not correcting the problems now could lead to this culture becoming more prevalent in society generally as First Nations people gain more power. “Towards which values do the immigrants want society to lean when the time of First Nations People’s dominance comes: tow- ard the values of the traditional First Nations culture; toward the values of a ‘rootless’ and social problem plagued culture or toward some other values?” Hall asked. He suggests non-natives should now be working towards ensuring a future society dominated by the First Nations’ culture leans the best way for both native and non-native people. Hall is working towards a doc- toral degree in education adminis- tration and policy studies. He and his wife, Lau Welnew Tribal School principal Loretta Hall, are willing to meet with church groups, councils, public service clubs and related social action agencies to discuss this issue and related topics. Loretta Hall is the great-great- granddaughter of Chief Pound- maker and the first female mem- ber of the Plains Cree First Nation to receive a master’s degree in educational administration. Denis Hall can be reached at 652-1811. household) _super shape. most preferred. Fresh Kenner Your Septic System should be serviced every 2-3 years. (average A septic system is an economical, proven system that can give years of_safe, efficient service if properly maintained and cared for. Remember, we can offer professional, easy-care service that will keep your septic system in Ifrecently serviced, call us with the date and _ we will remind you when service is next due. For over 40 years we've been the service 696-1811 For an appointment to care for your system. 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