B.C. principal spanked First Nations student, made remarks ‘inconsistent' with reconciliation
A B.C. school principal who spanked a young First Nations student and later made comments 'inconsistent' with truth and reconciliation has been issued a three-day suspension.
Pehgee Agnes Boholst Aranas was employed by a First Nation at a certified band school when she spanked the Grade 1 student in November 2023, according to a summary of a consent agreement between the principal and B.C.'s Commissioner for Teacher Regulation.
The document does not specify which First Nation she was working for – or the name of the band school – to protect the student's identity.
Another school employee witnessed the spanking incident and reported it to administrators, after which Aranas was asked to meet with members of the First Nation, according to the summary.
'In that meeting, Arans incorrectly claimed that (the student's) parents had approved her actions, and made comments which were inconsistent with truth, reconciliation and healing,' it reads.
The principal was then suspended pending an investigation, and told not to share details of the incident with colleagues. She did anyway, telling 'at least two employees' about what happened, including the name of the person who reported her.
Aranas was fired in May 2024.
After reviewing the circumstances, B.C.'s Commissioner for Teacher Regulation decided an additional punishment of a three-day suspension of Aranas's teaching certificate was warranted.
Aranas was also ordered to complete two courses, one called 'Creating a Positive Learning Environment' and another called 'Systemic Racism in Canada.'
In deciding on the disciplinary measures, the commissioner considered a number of factors, including that she did not treat the Grade 1 student 'with dignity and respect,' and that her actions 'negatively impacted the community's feelings of trust and safety in the education system.'
The consent agreement summary notes Aranas had previously been disciplined for 'inappropriate comments' about the First Nations community, including one incident in June 2021 when she emailed an employee who had called in sick.
She wrote: 'Suck it up, buttercup!!! The symptoms are just injection symptoms and not actual sickness! Tough native men like you have survived worse??? Lol.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
38 minutes ago
- CTV News
Two youths charged after damaging St. Thomas church
Two male youths were arrested and charged Saturday night, after vandalizing a local church. A church at the south end of St. Thomas was damaged Saturday night, after the suspects threw rocks at the building and damaged glass windows, doors and other church property. It's an estimated $7,000 to repair. Police arrested the two youths on the property, and they were charged with mischief over $5,000. They were later released to the care of their parents.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Motorcyclist killed in North York crash: traffic services investigating
A motorcyclist is dead after a single-vehicle collision early Sunday morning in North York, police say. Toronto police say they responded to Jane Street and Gordon MacKay Road just after midnight for reports of a motorcycle that had struck a pole. The circumstances around the incident remain unclear but officials say the rider was pronounced dead at the scene. Toronto police traffic services are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact officials at 416-808-2222.
CBC
4 hours ago
- CBC
Motorcyclist dies after colliding with pole in North York, police say
Social Sharing A motorcyclist has died after colliding with a pole in North York, Toronto police said. The incident happened around 12:16 a.m. near Gordon Mackay Road and Jane Street, police said in a post on X. Officers responded to reports of a single vehicle collision. The motorcyclist, a man in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The traffic services unit is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
