One year later, Neelin attack still resonates

One year after a sword attack at École Secondaire Neelin High School shook Brandon, parents and school officials say schools are safer today, but some students continue to grapple with fear and trauma stemming from the incident.

The June 10, 2025, attack left then-15-year-old Chinonso (Nonso) Onuke with serious injuries after he was allegedly targeted by a fellow student who was wearing a mask and armed with a sword.

Police later described the incident as a targeted act of hate directed at people of colour and immigrants.

A 17-year-old Indigenous male, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder, along with weapons-related charges, aggravated assault and disguise with intent.

United Nigerians Brandon Association (UNBA) president Hosteen Bungon said Brandon School Division has introduced some safety measures in the wake of the attack.

“We would say the response was quite quick and positive,” he told the Sun on Friday. “Many of the recommendations made by Nigerian families following the attack were considered by the division, including the establishment of advisory councils involving parents, students, educators and community members.”

Advisory councils for each school in the division were approved by the board of trustees last year following a presentation by UNBA.

BSD trustee Calistus Ekenna said the division has implemented security improvements, including centralized entry points at elementary schools and additional measures at high schools.

“We’ve made some changes within the school system — security and safety changes,” Ekenna told the Sun. “The division has also focused on prevention through greater awareness of cultural diversity, inclusion and community connection.”

The emotional impact of the attack remains evident, he said.

“I’ve had parents come to me letting me know about their kids’ apprehension regarding what happened,” Ekenna said. “Some students are worried, fearful of walking alone in the school system and watching over their backs, not knowing what may happen to them.”

Some parents do not want their children to attend Neelin because of the attack, he said.

“There’s still some trauma connected to the incident,” he said.

Ekenna said maintaining communication between schools and families will be critical moving forward.

“It’s going to be an ongoing process of not letting down and not forgetting,” he said. “When we forget, things could escalate again.”

City Coun. Jason Splett, who had two children attending Neelin at the time of the attack, said the division’s response helped students process the traumatic event.

“I’m happy with some of the outcomes that have happened,” Splett (Ward 8) said. “The support groups, the counselling and the opportunities students had to talk about it right after the incident helped them put things into perspective.”

His daughter, who still attends the school, has largely moved forward, he said.

“She did see some of the aftermath, but overall she’s pretty happy with what has happened there to help the students move on.”

However, Splett said some parents are still waiting for closure through the court process.

“There are still concerns about the prosecution and how that’s going to shake out,” he said. “I think the outcome of that will help put a few parents’ minds, as well as students’, at ease.”

Bungon said he has seen a heightened awareness of safety and security in the division’s schools.

“One of the things we pointed out was how to identify a stranger coming into the school,” Bungon said. “Teachers now patrol and look out for strange movements or faces. Anyone they feel is not part of the school is approached and questioned.”

He said that students have also become more involved in safety planning and are more aware of emergency procedures and alert systems.

“Safety is everyone’s business,” Bungon said. “Because students were included in the plan, it has given them a sense of security.”

In the weeks following the attack, members of the Nigerian community told school trustees that racism in Brandon schools had been a persistent issue long before the incident.

At the time, UNBA representatives presented survey results showing 43 per cent of respondents had experienced racial discrimination, and many parents felt their concerns had not been adequately addressed.

A year later, Bungon said reports of racial discrimination have declined.

“The complaints have reduced since the incident because there is this growing awareness,” he said. “A lot of education has been going on for people to know that we might be different in terms of skin colour or nationality, but there is something that binds us together.”

He said that while discrimination may still occur in subtle ways, overt incidents appear to have decreased considerably.

“We’ve received fewer complaints in recent times,” he said.

Despite the decline, Bungon said more investment in school security is needed.

“Security is important, but expensive,” Bungon said. “There are ways the school can improve tremendously on security, but that will require resources.”

Meanwhile, the criminal case against the accused continues to move through the courts.

Federal prosecutors announced their intention to invoke Section 83.27 of the Criminal Code, a rarely used terrorism provision that could allow for a life sentence if the accused is convicted and the court determines the offences constitute terrorism.

Police previously said they uncovered significant evidence suggesting political and racial ideologies were motivating factors behind the attack.

The Crown has also signalled its intention to seek an adult sentence if the accused is convicted.

A trial is scheduled in Brandon’s Court of King’s Bench from June 7 to June 25, 2027.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola, with files from Skye Anderson