Message regarding WSD Professional Development Day

Winnipeg School Division Board holds first Professional Development today for approximately 5,000 staff, consisting of Educational Assistants, Crossing Guards, Bus Drivers, Trades, Custodians, Information Technology, Accounting, Payroll, Clerks, Teachers, and School Administrators at Canada Life Centre.

Dr. Chris Emdin, keynote speaker is a Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education and Professor of Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He has been named one of the 27 people bridging divides in the United States by Time magazine and the Root 100 list of most influential African Americans.

During the presentation the scoreboard displayed the message “resistance to colonialism is not terrorism”. While the keynote was focused on Indigenous education and equity work, some staff interpreted this specific quote as an opinion about the war in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas rather than WSD is dedicated to Indigenous education, reconciliation, and equity for all.

WSD apologizes for any harm that was caused.

Matt Henderson
Superintendent