School division’s moves sending wrong message

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/03/2025 (198 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The recent decision by the Mountain View School Division to reinstate the playing of “God Save the King” during daily announcements is incredibly tone-deaf and actively undermines progress toward truth and reconciliation. While some may argue this is a matter of tradition, traditions must evolve alongside societal values. Otherwise, they risk becoming symbols of harm, division and exclusion.

The reintroduction of “God Save the King” glorifies an era when British imperialism oppressed Indigenous people, stole their lands, enforced cultural genocide and caused intergenerational trauma. There is absolutely nothing to be proud of here.

This song is not simply a relic to be dusted off and placed in a modern context like grandma’s china. Instead, it is a stark reminder of colonial rule and the suffering it inflicted on Indigenous people across Canada. Given that one-third of the students in the Mountain View School Division are Indigenous, this decision is particularly harmful and dismissive of their lived experiences.

As someone from a country with its own history of British colonization, I have no love lost for “God Save the King.” While I would never presume to speak for Indigenous people, I can only imagine that for many children in the division, as is the case for me, hearing this song in their schools does not evoke feelings of patriotism. Instead, it serves as a painful reminder of subjugation.

Compounding this harm is the division’s decision to ban the rainbow flag. The rainbow flag is a symbol of pride and acceptance for the LGBTTQ+ community, whose members continue to be targeted simply for existing. Banning such symbols is an affront to efforts to create safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTTQ+ youth.

Schools have always prided themselves on being places where all students can feel accepted and valued, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This backward policy contradicts the efforts of educators, activists and community members who have worked tirelessly to foster environments of safety and belonging for all students.

Propagandizing the “merits” of residential schools. Bringing back “God Save the King.” Banning rainbow flags. Refusing to fly treaty flags. What’s next?

I find myself asking, “What exactly is the Mountain View School Division trying to fix? What problem does reinstating ‘God Save the King’ and banning rainbow and treaty flags solve?”

These policies do not address any pressing issues in the school system. Instead, they create new problems by alienating students who already face marginalization and exclusion.

When the school division cites “legal counsel” as justification, it raises more than just a few eyebrows.

Why involve legal counsel at all? The funds spent on legal fees could have been used to address real issues within the division like ensuring quality education, tackling violence and bullying, promoting mental health and improving outcomes for vulnerable students. No one is disputing the existence of the regulation. What is being questioned is the relevance of adhering to such an outdated rule in today’s context.

School divisions have the discretion to prioritize what truly matters, and this decision was a clear misstep.

Even more troubling, is the fact that this move mirrors the regressive steps being taken in the U.S., where various states are pushing for similar restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in schools.

These actions, often justified as preserving tradition or protecting certain values, ultimately harm students by stifling discussions about race, gender and identity. Like their U.S. counterparts, the division’s actions reflect an alarming trend in which inclusivity, diversity and historical understanding are viewed as threats rather than strengths.

It is worth noting that the provincial government is moving toward removing the regulation that mandates the playing of “God Save the King” in schools. However, while we wait for the slow wheels of legislative processes to turn, the Mountain View School Division should reconsider its decision. School divisions have a responsibility to lead with integrity and prioritize the well-being of all their students.

The choice to reinstate a song tied to imperialism while banning flags symbolizing inclusion sends the wrong message.

It tells students that overlooking the lived experiences of those who have suffered under colonialism and discrimination is acceptable. Maintaining this current stance is a failure of a duty to the students and communities the division serves.

» Samantha Turenne is a Winnipeg writer. This column previously appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press.