Numerous high school students in Grande Prairie staged a walkout in protest against a teacher who made controversial remarks on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on her personal Facebook page.
Amy Davidson, a social studies educator at St. John Paul II Catholic School in Alberta, shared a post on Sept. 30 from Maxime Bernier, the leader of the People’s Party of Canada. In the post, Bernier claimed that there were no bodies found in Kamloops and dismissed the “genocide” allegations related to residential schools.
Echoing Bernier’s sentiments, Davidson commented, “Hear, hear,” on her Facebook status. Sept. 30 is recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, dedicated to honoring residential school survivors and remembering the children who never made it home.
The controversial Facebook post shared by teacher Amy Davidson on Sept. 30. (Facebook)
A group of students walked out of classes on Oct. 13 to draw attention to the teacher’s actions. Some of the students spoke with CBC News, emphasizing that residential schools are often regarded as a cultural genocide.
Parents and community members joined the students, offering support with refreshments and words of encouragement.
One of the Grade 12 students, Isobel Knopf, expressed her disapproval, stating, “I find it concerning that such sweeping statements are made on social media and then taught in classrooms as part of our curriculum.”
Davidson’s post attracted over 100 comments, many of which criticized her stance. In response, the teacher engaged in discussions, clarifying that her post was centered on disputing the allocation of government funds to Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, the First Nation that reported potential gravesites near the Kamloops Indian Residential School in 2021.
The First Nation is yet to decide whether to proceed with excavations at the site, considering the complexities and sensitivities involved.
In an interview with CBC News, Davidson asserted, “I am not denying the existence of residential schools,” pointing out the lack of concrete evidence of mass graves in Kamloops beyond the initial claims.
While addressing concerns raised by students and the community, Davidson defended her impartiality in the classroom, sharing supportive messages from former students appreciating her neutrality.
Student Recounts Family’s Residential School Experience
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission labeled the residential school system as a form of cultural genocide in its 2015 summary report. In 2022, the House of Commons acknowledged residential schools as genocide.
One of the student protesters, Airianna Bayne, a Grade 12 student with Kaska Dena heritage, found the teacher’s post particularly distressing. Bayne’s grandmother attended the Lower Post Residential School in northern British Columbia.
“Even if my grandma wasn’t Indigenous, it’s still so wrong,” Bayne emphasized.
Airianna Bayne, second from left, stands with her brother and two friends