The findings of the investigation could be made public as early as Friday. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Cree Language

Timber Bay School investigation expected to conclude today: NLSD Director of Education

Oct 30, 2019 | 3:08 PM

An investigation into a recent incident at Timber Bay School is expected to wrap up today.

That’s according to Northern Lights School Division Director of Education Jason Young, who said the final interview for the investigation was completed this morning. He stated in the next couple of days administration will write a report for the board to review and the public will be made aware of some of the findings via the school division’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

“I know this story has gained a lot of attention, so how we articulate the findings of the investigation will be somewhat challenging given it’s a personnel matter that we have to deal with,” Young said. “We want to respect people’s privacy in terms of how we handle this case and anything we put out in the media needs to be somewhat filtered.”

The incident in question occurred about a month ago when Rose Bradfield, a janitor at the school, was allegedly told by staff she shouldn’t speak Cree. On Oct. 21, she was told she was being placed on administrative leave, as well as to stay away from the school and not to talk to teachers. A couple of days later, dozens of people from around the area attended a protest in Timber Bay in support of Bradfield.

When it comes to the use of Indigenous languages in the school division, Young stated promoting such languages is important and is part of the overall vision for students in northern Saskatchewan.

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“There are two separate issues,” he said. “I feel like there is an issue around what transpired in terms of the allegation and what we are doing now, which is continuing to promote Indigenous languages.”

larongeNOW reached out to the Ministry of Education for a comment on the investigation, but was told in an email human resource and personnel matters are the responsibility of the school division. It noted, however, the ministry is aware of the incident at Timber Bay School.

“The ministry supports the right for individuals to retain and maintain Indigenous languages and culture,” the email states. “In efforts to preserve Indigenous history, language and culture within Saskatchewan’s schools, the ministry has mandated treaty education in classrooms and has expanded the availability of Indigenous languages at the provincial level.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno