By CKPG News

SD 57 Candidate Questions

SD 57 Candidate Questions: Lucille Duncan

May 30, 2023 | 12:00 AM

1. Why are you running for school trustee? What knowledge and professional qualifications make you a good candidate for SD57 School Board Trustee?

My name is Lucille Duncan, I am from a small community Binche Keyoh near Fort St James BC, 195 km Northwest of Prince George BC.  I am honored to be living, working and to be who I am on the unceded traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh.

My passion has always been to be an educator and presently that is exactly what I do at Central Interior Native Health Society (CINHS) in regards to the historical factors of Indigenous people and how government polices effected Indigenous people of Canada.  How can we work together in a more understanding way through educating about trauma inform practice and reflecting on our own beliefs about Indigenous people; I called this intergenerational racism that people are raised up with.

I am a certified cultural language teacher and worked in a remote school in the community of Tl’azt’en Nation and as a substitute.  Obtained my social worker diploma in 2005 and Mental Health & Addiction certificate with UNBC continuing studies 2007.  I returned to the community and was hired on as a school guidance counselor.  Afterwards in 2014, I was an elected school trustee for school district 91, Nechako Lakes District.  This is where I gained experienced to work in a team and with administration.

Education is very important; it’s a step to one’s future.  I would like to see that all students get the best education and that policies be place that are inclusive of all ethnic backgrounds, build a trusting and respectful learning / working environment for all.

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2. Do you support sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) education in B.C.? Why or why not?

This very topic has been around for more than a century and it is still the concern of many parents and religious community.  I believe all school district need to create a safe environment for all people that are learners or employees.  Our polices should reflect cultural safety, inclusiveness, trust and respect.

3. What does School Board transparency mean to you? How will you work to make school board activities are transparent for stakeholders and the public?

Transparency must always be one of the values of any government entity, as a school trustee we must be honest and open to the public as we represent the community and all learners.

4. What are the top three issues facing students?

According to my views on three issues students face constantly is bullying for who they are, prevention and psychosocial supports and last but not least is that staff with in the schools are informing the Ministry of Child Family services because of indigenous children not attending school.  As a school trustee we must collectively work in these areas for students that are affected; they must feel that they belong, accepted and most of all feel safe.

5. Is the school district doing enough to prepare students for success following graduation? If not, what could it do better to prepare students?

I believe the school district and their staff go above and beyond to assist students to succeed but we need to create more support in place like tutoring and psychosocial supports. As adults we must be the role model of how we work together as a team, to be able to work with diversity and respect others opinion without taking it personally.

Like my Elder would say, “ Little eyes are watching.”