IF THESE Grade § students at Clarence Michiel Schoot nad their way, education minister Gordon Wilson might be the next premier of the province. Wilson loured the school while on a visit here Nov. 19 and spent part of his time signing autographs during one classroom slop. Just the day before, he announced he was in on the NDP leadership race. Wilson also visited Caledonia Senior Secondary. Culture course reviewed IF THE school board doesn't take a stand on the teach- ing of cultural awareness, it will set a dangerous prece- dent, says a Gitxsan from Hazelton. Marjory McRae, education advisor for the Gitxsan Government Commission, made the comment after three Grade 7 boys were suspended Nov. 9 for. refusing, by order of their parents, to take part in a Gitxsan cultural aWaTeNess Course. : - McRae is worried about the message that-will be sent if the board allows students to opt out of the course. "The thing ‘that “I find’ very fearful is’ if- the school |” board doesn't stand firm on this position, they are going” to set a precedent," said McRae. "Is it is al a point now where parents can choose what course their kids can take in school?" , The boys are back in school, but they are not attend- ing the course pending an appeal by the parents, said Sharon Beedle, acting superintendent of the Coast Mountain school district. The district agreed to review the course, following a Nov. 15 meeting between the boys' parents, Beedle, school trustee Charlie Willson, and principal Bruce Cookson. The will look at what is taught, how it is taught and to which grades. Beedle said she has has yet to see a snowbail effect, with other parents questioning the course. But Leslie, Veltmeyer, a member of the New Hazel- ton School Parent Advisory Committee, ‘said. the-issue ” has sparked some concerns of her own. National Leaders Tour Mr. Ron Gray, leader of the | Christian Heritage Party im of Canada will be speaking in Terrace at a GENERAL MEETING Christian Heritage Party Skeena Riding Association November 25 at 8:00 P.M. at the Happy Gang Centre Everyone is welcome! For more information phone Johan Troelstra at 638-1436 or Ed Ferrero at 635-0077. This Time - Vote Your CONSCIENCE... For a CHANGE, Canada’s £™, Responsible Alternative (NOVEMBER SPECIAL | Curried Chicken on a bed of rice, served with todays vegetable & garlic pita S ] 95 couRAEINN 4702 Lakelse Ave, Terrace Ph: 635-6302 Recipe for {| agreat time ivhule family together 4 I) * great food «friendly service ‘licensed festive decor *heavenly Hors d'oevres ‘decaclent desserts private room available for Sroups of [5-35 people Special Christmas menus jJ| available for luncheon or dinner reservations, Nyprearmsezemacre Pe Christmas Staff Party J “IF it's cultural awareness of one group for seven years, it doesn't matter to me whut group it was, | would say it should be an option," said the mother of Grade 3 McRae said that her committee was "absolutely ap- palled" at the action taken by the boys' parents and added that she feels sorry for the children themselves, "What is so sad, is if parents are’ projecting this ra- _cism, what is ‘that saying to ‘their children? That's what | find the saddest.” ; ~ , “She'said the point of the course is to teach under- standing of the Gitxsan culture and is part of-a province- wide initiative to‘implement' First Nations studies in the schools, The class, held fora half hour every week, has been taught in the Hazelton: school for the ‘past five years. -The three sets of. parents ‘said they didn't want their children to attend: because of the course's content. Oné report suggested one of the boys had come home saying the course was. teiching ‘that’ the ‘natives were superior because they cared more about nature: “That is an interpretation," said Beedle. "Some cul- tures have been: better at doing ‘Gne-thing:than another culture at various times throughout their-history.” She said that when the teachers talked about steward-- ship of the environment practised by the Gitxsan, be- cause they depended on using it every year, the students’ probably took that as meaning the Gitxsan were belter at protecting nature at that time. fhe Millennium approaches This Friday at 5 p.m. is the deadline to take part in The Terrace Stan- dard’s Millennium Sup- plement. You can sign the Mil- lennium Register for $2 and make your mark in history. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Terrace Churches Food Bank, Or you can place your family photo in. for $35, See us at 3210 Clinton. ts \ iN GCIRAFY SALE At the Terrace Arena Banquet Room November 27, 1999 1 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. “Crafts, Weaving, Tole Painting, Pottery, Baked Goods, Fudge, Jams, Pine cone Wreaths, — Everything You Need For Christmas And More!!! Dr. R.D. Greenwood _ Chiropractor 4635 Lazelle, Terrace MSP, ICBC, WCB ACCEPTED Dynamic Gait Analysis and Prescription Orthotics Saturday Appointments Available 638-8165 kd Fa iddd rE aut 4, & much much more. a ls AtBC Hydro, we've been preparing for the Year 2000 since 1994, We've done extensive testing throughout our system and have fixed alt critical devices used to generate and deliver power. We remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure that our customers continue to receive reliable service up until, during and after midnight. As an added precaution, on December 31 we will have extra staff on hand to operate our system manually if necessary. vr thes Sahil tO prepare war grid SOP CAN ASS out pe TOP TGS Udy ah elt ©, For moré information: Prei2ee: FEELTAGTALELEDITE DELLS T2Gt Py ays