Board reconsiders East City school name
After hearing from a delegation, public trustee proposes ‘Kaawaate East City Public School’
The new elementary public school being built at the top of Hunter Street East replacing two elementary schools in the area, King George and Armour Heights, is going through a slight name change, says the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board chair.
The new school will be called Kaawaate East City Public School.
The board trustees were originally set to choose between four names: Shining Waters Public School, Kaa-Waa-Te Public School, Lift Lock Public School and East City Public School.
Its name was announced as East City Public School in April, but there was some opposition from community members who wanted the new school’s name to reflect the area’s Indigenous heritage.
“When we named the school there was talk about having an Indigenous component to that name,” said board chair Diane Lloyd. “We have heard from some community members and from our Indigenous communities who asked we consider adding the word Kaa-Waa-Te to the school name.”
Lloyd said they aren’t looking to change the name entirely, but rather amend the name to include the Indigenous word.
A delegation from the Kawartha Truth and Reconciliation Support Group and the Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough spoke to board members at a meeting Tuesday.
“Trustee Steve Russell brought a notice of motion for next month (Nov. 24) and his suggestion is to change the name to Kaa-Waa-Te East City Public School,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd said focus on Indigenous education in the curriculum is very important to the school board.
“We have really had a great focus on Indigenous education over the last few years, ensuring the culture, the music and the history of Indigenous people becomes part of our curriculum,” she said.
“I know these things are happening right now, but there’s more to do, there is always more to do.”
She said it’s important for the board to show respect for Indigenous cultures.
“The respect levels are important,” she said.
“We need to respect a different culture and where their ideas come from and what their part in the history of Canada is and how they would like to be part of that history. It is important for Indigenous people, or other cultures, if they are enrolled in our schools, that they have an opportunity to see themselves in the books we offer, in the courses we teach.”
The $20-million school is will house 675 kindergarten to Grade 8 students, including a French immersion program, and is expected to open in fall 2021.