Indigenous students overrepresented in Winnipeg School Division suspensions: report

A new report outlining the number of school suspensions in the Winnipeg School Division (WSD) has found that Indigenous students are suspended more often then other students.

The report, released Tuesday by the WSD found that 820 students across the entire school division were suspended between 2016 and 2019.

Betty Edel, chair of the WSD Board of Trustees, said the report shows there is an overrepresentation of Indigenous students among those who are suspended.

While less than 27 per cent of enrolled students self-identify as being Indigenous, the report found that they account for roughly 55 per cent of all school suspensions.

The report said the most common reasons for suspensions include weapons, physical or verbal assault on staff or students, and misconduct.

"We understand what's going on, now comes the action. You can't just say, 'Oh OK, well we know this is going on, that's good to know,' and then you walk away from it. No, this is the beginning," Edel told CTV News.

The school division said it is engaging with elders and community partners to restore relationships with the Indigenous students and address these suspensions.

Edel said it is a step towards reconciliation.

"This is just the very beginning," she said. "We just needed to get the truth on the table because you can only start the healing journey and move forward if you are dealing with the truth."

The report found that students who are suspended for a longer time have a higher likelihood of failing or withdrawing from school. Of the students who were suspended for up to five days, 51 per cent passed, 27 per cent withdrew and 22 per cent failed.

Of the students who were suspended between 20 and 30 days, only 22 per cent passed, while 41 per cent failed and 37 per cent withdrew, according to the report.

The report noted that suspensions over five days accounted for only three per cent of the suspensions, and those students who were given longer suspensions were often repeat offenders.

The school division said it will also enhance partnerships and collaborate with mental health community agencies to address the discrepancy in suspensions, as well as develop connections within the WSD between Newcomer and Indigenous Support Teams, Student Services and Curriculum, and professional development and training in restorative practices.

 

-with files from CTV's Jon Hendricks