WSD apologizes over message displayed during in-service day [Video]

The superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division (WSD) has apologized over a message displayed during a professional development day on Wednesday.

The in-service day took place at the Canada Life Centre, with about 5,000 WSD staff attending the event. During the keynote presentation, the scoreboard displayed the statement, “Resistance to colonialism is not terrorism.”

In a statement, superintendent Matt Henderson apologized for any harm that was caused. He explained that some staff interpreted this message to be about the war in the Middle East but noted that the presentation was focused on Indigenous education and equity.

Chris Emdin, a Columbia University professor, was the keynote speaker at the professional development day.

In a post on his social media, Emdin said he spoke “very specifically about colonial teaching practices and students sometimes intimidating/aggressive responses.” He added that any other interpretation of the statement is “intellectually dishonest and a gross misrepresentation of …