> This is a very sad thread. As an anglo-Canadian parent of children of a
> First Nations mother, I must note that in British Columbia the great
> majority of people attend "ethnic" schools and wear "ethnic" costumes to
> the graduation. The ethnic origins of these schools and costumes happens
> to be mine -- British -- and that this should limit free expression is
> very sad. As a country we are a rich amalgam of cultures, including First
> Nations; any time we miss an opportunity to celebrate that fact we diminish
> each and every one of us. People should feel free to wear what they like
> to a graduation so long as it recognizes and honours the formality of the
> occasion.
I feel that your answer provides the best question that should be raised
by Indian educators and parents with children who will soon be graduating.
If the schools do not want students to wear ethnic dress, then are they
free to not wear the european, anglo ethnic dress that the student has
been forced to wear.
It must be that the white ethnic dress is proper to wear but not the
Indian "ethnic" or any other ethnic. Following this thread, I have
written to friends suggesting that we require that the schools give us
back some of the title IX money and PL. 874 money so we can fund a
seperate Indian graduation. They like us to be "ethnic" when we bring
money to the schools but not when we want to wear our "ethnic" clothing.
Ron Andrade