School Board citing Human Rights Code for renaming Chippewa

A news release from the Near North Board seems to indicate it is plowing ahead with renaming Chippewa Secondary School and is now using a statement by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to justify it.

Its committee met on May 17 in a move to determine "the best path forward in selecting a new name for Chippewa Secondary School."

The release, not signed by any board member, says it is using a recent statement by the Commission to guide it.

That statement reads “OHRC is aware and concerned about the increasing violence targeted at education officials for doing human rights work, adhering to the obligations set under the Ontario Human Rights Code and implementing government policy.”

The release says it "remains committed to providing resources, increasing understanding and advancing the human rights of all. The OHRC acknowledges that educational officials continue to be the targets of hate and violence for doing this work, despite the fact that these officials have a legal duty to provide education and learning environments that follow and support the Human Rights Code. "

The full statement issued by the OHRC can be found here.

See related: Got an idea to rename Chippewa school?

And" Chippewa Renaming Committee gets homework extension

The release acknowledges that "many voices and perspectives have been brought forward throughout this process. The committee, in alignment with the direction of the Near North District School Board, continues to prioritize student well-being and the work of the committee remains grounded in the Human Rights Code."

No committee members were quoted in the news release which was sent to the media late Friday afternoon. A request by BayToday that the Chair be made available for an interview would be "passed along" said the Communications Department. By the end of the day, no interview was offered.

"NNDSB remains committed to supporting all students, which includes removing barriers that perpetuate harm," continues the release.

"The committee has learned, through this process, that NNDSB’s current School Openings, Closing and Consolidation Administrative Guideline requires updates that more closely reflect the mandates set forth in the Human Rights Code. Changes to that Administrative Guideline will follow the usual process for approval, including a 30-day consultation period. Once complete, the Administrative Guideline will ensure that the human rights of all people are prioritized and maintained in the opening, closing, or consolidation of any NNDSB school."

However, a source says the Board's gambit of changing administrative guidelines appears calculated to allow it to shift the blame game to the OHRC,

In response to the Board's latest move, Steve Brown, who has led a charge to retain the Chippewa name told BayToday, "I will be contacting the Minister of Education.  This school board is being non-transparent and not listening to the vast majority that does not want to have the name of the school changed. I will continue to do my homework against this ridiculous name-change issue. I feel they are far from being transparent."