Construction continues at Daaxiigan Sḵ’adaa Née in Masset, with heightened activity since the school year began that create a constant din for students and staff at the fastest growing school in School District 50.
With an unexpected increase in enrolment numbers in Masset, as reported by Haida Gwaii News, it is a shock for many to learn that the multi-million dollar, four-year and counting construction project did not consider a rise in student numbers as evident in the “new” school design.
Classrooms are crowded, lunchrooms are filled to the brim, and with the community emphasis on sports and wellness, Masset’s entire Kindergarten to Grade 12 student body share one gymnasium.
This could be somewhat alleviated with the opening of the outdoor undercover basketball court under the $4-million tsunami tower, but construction equipment needs somewhere safe and dry to be stored.
Students are assured that their wellness and health are considered above construction-storage needs, however, the company has been here for more than four years, so they have evidently earned certain special considerations.
On that note, this same non-Indigenous construction company was awarded the contract to build and install the Haida-style longhouse front entrance to Daaxiigan Sḵ’adaa Née.
Although the company is not Haida-affiliated, the mostly non-Haida construction crew were able to pay homage to Haida ownership of Haida ancient practice and design, by saying a land acknowledgement before embarking on the project.
This instance gives students and our Haida Gwaii community a valuable lesson on the difference between “Haida Appreciation” and “Haida Appropriation.”
If the project was “Haida Appropriation,” a non-Haida company would simply be paid significant money to design and build a traditional longhouse style entrance.
If it was “Haida Appreciation,” the non-Haida company would be paid a significant amount of money to design and build a traditional longhouse style entrance, all while they were acknowledging the territory as belonging to the Haida Nation.
We are relieved that this project, approved by School District 50, demonstrates “Haida Appreciation.”
The best part is that students at Daaxiigan get a front row seat to this valuable lesson in how to follow Haida protocols concerning Haida knowledge and culture.
Sincerely,
Em from Masset