Pembina trails IBPOC Committee lays groundwork to Accomplish Anything

As one of the leaders in anti-racism in the province, the Pembina Trails School Division Board of Trustees passed a policy statement two years ago stating that:

“As a commitment to Reconciliation and Anti-racism, the division firmly believes that every student has the potential to achieve great things, regardless of their race or ethnicity. To that end, we recognize that racism and discrimination has a profound impact on student and staff performance, mental health, and overall well-being. That is why we are working to identify and address barriers that may be preventing students and/or staff from reaching their full potential.” See full policy here.

The Pembina Trails’ IBPOC (Indigenous, Black and People of Colour) Committee is tangible proof of the work supporting that statement. Coming together in an IBPOC Connect Event with more than 40 members of the division’s IBPOC staff, the committee celebrated their work in schools and across the division, empowering voices and establishing an infrastructure that will continue to help guide Pembina Trails’ anti-racism, equity and inclusion efforts.

Sanjeeva Louis, committee member, spoke to the gathering about her vision for the IBPOC community in Pembina Trails.

“This committee is not just about ideas and all talk. We are all about real change, not just through words but through meaningful actions,” said Louis. “We have a shared commitment to create the kind of schools where all of our students, no matter their background, feel reflected, affirmed and deeply valued.” Louis said students are paying attention and she feels that because of what the committee and the division is doing now, those students will grow up with the confidence that they belong, and their potential is limitless.

The Connect Event allowed time to discuss allyship training, supporting IBPOC leadership development and formalizing the IBPOC Committee to entrench it into the fabric of the division.

The division policy specifically calls on the Board of Trustees and Senior Administration Team to “actively listen to the voices and experiences of students and staff from diverse backgrounds and strive to create an inclusive learning environment that reflect and celebrates diversity.”

For Carol Stewart, committee member, that means having a seat at the table.

“Nothing about us without us,” said Stewart. “The purpose of this event and others like it are to give us an opportunity to gather and amplify the voices of IBPOC staff and also an opportunity for connection and collection of ideas from our members as we continue to implement and live our Anti-Racism Policy.”

The Pembina Trails IBPOC Committee includes Christine Jolly, Trustee; Jasmine Brar, Trustee; Colleen Roberts, Senior Administration Link; Troy Scott, Senior Administration Link; Jill Fast, Indigenous Student Success Teacher; Brenda Muswagon, Indigenous Student Success Teacher; Jean-Baptiste Bitwenge, Teacher; Sanjeeva Louis, Teacher; Carol Stewart, Teacher; Ryyan Koleric, Teacher; and Catherine Birch, Principal.