New NSD Board of Trustees Now Up & Running

The New Northland School Divsion #61 Board of Trustees. Back Row L to R: Jesse Lamouche, Louis Cardinal, Robin Guild, Jules Nokohoo, and Silas Yellowknee. Front Row L to R: Cathy Wanyandie, Vice-Chairperson Randy Anderson, Chairperson Maddy Daniels, Education Minister David Eggen, Rubi Helen Dhirley, and Karen Telford. Absent: Loretta Gladue. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)

A dedication ceremony was held on Thursday for the newly-elected Board of Trustees in Northland School Division (NSD) #61.

Earlier in the day, all 11 were sworn in as the first elected board since it was suspended in 2010, and run directly through an Official Trustee from Edmonton.

Shortly after at their organization meeting, Maddy Daniels from the Paddle Prairie and Keg River areas was chosen as the NSD’s new Board Chairperson. Serving as Vice-Chairperson is Randy Anderson, who represents the Gift Lake and Peavine Metis Settlements.

Education Minister David Eggen addresses the crowd at the dedication for the NSD Trustees in Peace River. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)

Daniels told the Trending 55 Newsroom what the goal is for the newly-minted board.

“We want to advocate for all students,” said Daniels. “We want to advocate on behalf of Northlands for stakeholders on important issues that affect education, and to ensure that education remains a top priority for the area.”

Anderson adds that each trustee has a bit of a learning curve, as each have been elected for the first time.

“There is a lot of information that we need to take in,” he said. “We’re now starting that process, and in the future, we’ll be able to give advice and guidance to the division as to what direction we should be going.”

The board will have a little help from Lois Byers, the now-former Official Trustee who first took on the job in July of 2016. She says she’ll remain with the board for a while, in order to provide support as the division transfers control over to the board.

“I’ll still be an advisor for them as knowledge is passed over regarding current issues within NSD,” said Byers. “I can’t say enough of this board. We’ve had orientation for a day and a half, and then two more meetings Thursday morning, and they’re just a solid board. I really like the questions they asked, and it shows the commitment’s there. The NSD is in very good hands with this new board.”

Also at the event was Education Minister David Eggen, who addressed the crowd during the dedication. During his speech, he announced a 20 percent increase in per student funding for the Northland School Division.

“We believe in not just the reinstatement of democracy up here,” Eggen told the newsroom. “But we also believe in actually laying down some extra resources to improve attendance and graduation rates here at NSD. All in all, we wanted to demonstrate that we’re serious about making life better here within the division.”

NSD Vice-Chairperson Randy Anderson (centre) receiving his Eagle Feather, Metis Sash and Glass Apple at the dedication ceremony in Peace River. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)

Eggen also presented a glass apple to each trustee, as a reminder of the oath that each one has taken. As well, each one received eagle feathers and Metis sashes. In Indigenous culture, the eagle feather symbolizes respect, honour, love, strength, courage and wisdom. The sash is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Metis culture today.

Local dignitaries also made their way to the Chateau Nova in Peace River for the event. Among them was Peace River MLA Debbie Jabbour, who said that she’s really excited about seeing the new board in action.

“It’s democracy in action,” said Jabbour. “I hoping to see the school division itself to work collaboratively, and really be able to advance the interest of the students. And I’m looking forward, both as MLA and as Chairperson of the Northern Alberta Development Council, to be working collaboratively with the new board.”

Chairperson Daniels says that her first immediate priority is to work with the board to understand what the critical issues.

“It’s very complex, some of the issues,” she said. “So, in reiterating that, we will work hard as a board to get our feet in there and learn everything that we can so we can support what the Superintendent is already doing, and what our former Official Trustee has already done.”

Vice-Chairperson Anderson says it could also be challenging, given the travel time involved for some of the trustees.

“We need to quickly engage with each of our communities,” said Anderson. “We will be holding our board meetings within some of the communities we serve. Our division does cover half of Northern Alberta, so everywhere you look at it, there is some traveling to do.”

The next regular board meeting for the new Board of Trustees will be taking place on November 30, 2017.

– Posted by BET