Photo courtesy BC Government

By Caden Fanshaw

SD 57

Minister of Education issues statement following SD57 resignations

Sep 14, 2021 | 10:58 AM

PRINCE GEORGE- In a shocking move, School District 57 Board of Education Chair Trent Derrick, and Vice-Chair Shuirose Valimohamed both announced their resignations on Monday morning.

The pair both resigned blaming BC’s education system, Derrick saying his voice was not meant to be at the table.

BC Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside issued a statement about the resignations on Monday evening:

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“I am surprised and saddened to learn of the resignations of the board chair and vice chair as trustees in School District 57. The special advisors’ report identified systemic racism in the district, and a clear need to rebuild relationships between the district and First Nations and to focus on improving educational outcomes and supports for Indigenous students.”

“We now have an expanded team of special advisors who are supporting the school district to develop a work plan to enact the recommendations on the basis of mutual respect, cultural sensitivity, and grounded in our government’s broader commitments under the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People. This is difficult and necessary work. Feedback from local First Nations and the board has been very positive about this direction. It is regrettable that the chair and vice chair will no longer be able to contribute to this much needed change, but the work will go on.”

“We thank Trent Derrick and Shuirose Valimohamed for their hard work and leadership in bringing the district to this place. We will continue this necessary work with the special advisors and the new board leadership.”