Smudging ceremony in school did not violate freedom of religion: B.C. Supreme Court GlobeBC
Justice Thompson found the efforts to teach Indigenous culture in the schools is supported by the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.An Indigenous smudging ceremony conducted in a Vancouver Island elementary school was a commendable effort to teach students about Indigenous beliefs and did not violate Charter rights to religious freedom, the B.C. Supreme Court has found.
Justice Thompson found the efforts to teach Indigenous culture in the schools is supported by the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which concluded that the Indian residential-school system, designed to assimilate Indigenous children, promoted “cultural genocide” and students experienced physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
The Port Alberni school district is within the traditional territory of the Nuu-chah-nulth, and the tribal council acted as an intervenor in the case. Jay Cameron, counsel for Ms. Servatius and the litigation manager at the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, said his client is disappointed and considering an appeal.
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