Coast Mountain College President Justin Kholman statement speaks to need for engagement on discrimination and racism

With a student body that is close to fifty percent Indigenous and draws upon other students from around the world, the theme of engagement on issues of discrimination and racism sets the tone for a message today for students, staff, faculty and administrators at Coast Mountain College.

College President and CEO Justin Kholman issued the statement after a week which has seen the focus of many in the Northwest on the events in the United States in response to the death of George Floyd and the large numbers that have taken to the streets to speak to his death and the need to address racism in all communities.

Mr. Kohlman's statement turns some of that focus to the Northwest as he highlights the diverse nature  of those who work at or attend all of the campus locations of Coast Mountain College.

We also have a diverse staff and faculty made up of people of all backgrounds including black Canadians, Indigenous peoples and many other people of colour. Their lived experience includes subtle and overt acts of racism on a regular basis. 

Highway 16, which runs through much of our region, is called the Highway of Tears because of the many instances of missing and murdered Indigenous women in the region we serve. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action outlined many of the uncomfortable truths about racism in our country, systems and institutions, and we are only starting to come to grips with them.

A key element of the statement relates to a conversation that the head of the College had with a student and the obligation that he took from that discussion that all within the Coast Mountain College environment have to listen and act to call out racism

I ask all of you, just like the student I spoke to, to hold us accountable. We all have the obligation to call out racism. I also encourage all of us to create space where judgement and assumptions are put aside. 

To make room in our classes and our discussions for the uncomfortable conversations – because this is where growth and understanding can start.

He also outlines that in order to support that conversation, Coast Mountain College will be looking to engage with its students through the hosting of a virtual Town Hall this fall that will allow for the sharing of experiences and seek out solutions.

You can review his full statement here.

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