Recognition Statement by Commissioner Jennifer Largan: We would like to begin by recognizing that this meeting is taking place on the traditional and unceded lands of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation, custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. We acknowledge their resilience in protecting their language, culture, and right to educate their children in ways that honour their identities and community values. Traditionally, learning and caregiving took place collectively within longhouses, where children were supported not only by parents, but by Elders, extended family, and the wider community. While colonial systems disrupted many of these community structures and contributed to language loss and isolation through the shift toward nuclear family models, these teachings around collective responsibility and belonging remain deeply important today. As a council and school board, there is much we can learn from these approaches. At NFSB, we recognize that student success is strongest when schools, families, and communities work together to create environments where students feel supported, connected, and seen. By strengthening these partnerships and valuing lived experience, culture, and community voice, we continue working toward a more inclusive and supportive education system for all learners.
