Native spirituality in schools at issue Apology given for disruption By CRIS LEYKAUF THERE’S LITTLE dif- ference between teaching native culture and native spirituality and religion in schools, says the person who disrupted a native dance performance recently. “My understanding is that perhaps not all the _ time, but some of the time, there is a spiritual component to native dancing,”’ says Marten Westerhoff in explaining his actions. “Some dancers claim they are under the in- fluence of spirits when dancing. As a Christian I find that offensive in a public school,”’ he added. Westerhof was a special services assistant at Kiti K’Shan Primary School when a Tahltan dance group from a Dease Lake high school performed there June 6. Westerhof walked up to the stage, tore down the troupe’s button blanket which was being used as a backdrop, and kicked a hole in the supporting box. He shouted that the performance — was idolatrous and against Jesus Christ. Westerhof now says he jegrets his actions and has apologized to the school district, staff and students, and plans to contact the dancers and apologize to them as well. “T realize now that my Tesponse was very emo- tional and irrational,’’ he said. The: school district and Westerhof’s CUPE local distanced themselves from Westerhof’s actions, taking out ads apologiz- ing for his behaviour. Westerhof is no longer employed by the school district, says Kenn Whyte, director of in- struction for First Nations education in the district. “‘What he did was total- ly disrespectful,” said Whyte, He called the in- cident unfortunate, but said the school district isn’t pressing any legal charges. “‘We just want to put this behind us.” Westerhof, aged 27, started working at Kiti K’Shan last March, as an aid to an autistic boy. Since starting work he gradually became con- cemed that native spirituality, not just cul- ture, was being taught in the schools, When asked what he felt was the difference be- tween native religion and culture, Westerhof said he thought they were dif- ficult to separate. ‘‘I think it’s the same thing. ‘Maybe native culture is deeply spiritual, but my understanding is that schools are supposed to be non-sectarian. Chil- dren come from so many different religious back- grounds that introducing them to so many cultural ideas is just going to con- fuse them.”’ A week before the Talhtan dancers por- formed, Nisga’a dancers visited the school. Westerhof said the dan- Broadcaster reaches deal — TWO DAYS before a strike ,or. (ecko Seer Bro Tan willy ree ere casters has reached an agreement ‘with its biggest union. Talks between the radio/TV company and its local of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union, broke down more than a month ago, Money and the duration of the contract were the big issues. During negotiations the two sides reached a verbal agree- ment on a one-year deal which would expire this Novem- ber, and a one per cent increase starting in September. Skeena Broadcasters then withdrew the offer, coming back with a one-year proposal with no wage increase or a two-year deal with a one per cent wage increase this Sep- tember, and no increase in 1998, The union rejected that, saying its members wanted to see a wage increase this September. And now they have it. On July 2 the union and Skeena Broadcasters agreed to a two-year deal which gives employees a 1.5 per cent in- crease this September, and a half a per cent next Septem- ber. The agreement expires in November 1998. “We're satisfied we got a reasonable settlement,”’ said union local head Kathy Brooks. ‘"We wanted two per cent if we were in a two year agreement — that was our bottom line.’? She thought the pressure of having a strike or lock- out put pressure on both sides to reach an agreement. The deal affects: radio announcers, reporters, clerical staff, switchers and radio, TV and news directors. Child protection measures boost given here CHILD PROTECTION workers in Terrace will be getting additional support from full-time consultants. Each of the 20 regional offices will receive $50,000 thal will go towards hiring a full-time consultant, says children and families minister Penny Priddy. The consultants will be responsible for assisting front- line workers, providing risk assessment training to staff as well as training professionals such as teachers and doctors, on their roles in preventing and responding to child abuse cases. They will also coordinate any referrals of a medical nature to the child protection program at B.C.’s Children’s Hospital. This move to de-centralize the service is part of the new ministry’s bigger strategy to improve child protection in cootHtPLNN YOUR QUIET NN CHOICE 4702 Lakelse Ave., Terrace Ph. 638-6302 * Fax 635-6984, Formerty Terrace Stumber Lodge Kenn Whyte cers invited children to propriate, he said. participate — something Belief systems would he found objectionable. = probably be discussed ““Couldn’t it be seen as when teaching native cul- initiation into that ture at the higher grade practice?’’ he asked. When the Talhtan dan- ever, learning about reli- cers came, said he acted out emo- tionally, fearful children ‘would be asked to partici- pate once more. shouldn’t be crossed.’’ However, Whyte. dis- missed Westerhol’s fears. ‘Obviously, we’re not teaching religion,'’ he said. ‘‘He couldn’t be fur- ther from the truth.” In reference to the Tahitan dancers, Whyte said many of the dances were ones which had been made up the native students, and described them as recreational. Whyte acknowledged that some native dances have a spiritual com- ponent, but said religious or sacred dances weren’t performed in schools. That wouldn’! be ap- levels, Whyte said. How- Westerhof gion is different than |= [0a ea School District No. 82 (Coast Mountains) All playing fields at the Terrace/Thornhill area schools will be fertilized monthly. This program wilt run from May through Oct. 1997. teaching religion. In hindsight Westerhof regrets his actions, and says he should have ‘taken a longer term approach to dealing with his concerns, for example petilioning the government and school board, Other members of his church, the Thornhill Community Church, have toid him they disagree with his actions and that Christians are not sup- posed to act out in a violent manner, As for people who call his actions racist, Wester- hof says, “‘?’m not against natives practising their own religious beliefs. I see the school board and government as being more at fault than natives. They are the ones who allowed this to come into the schools.”’ SAVE. 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