Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island) plans to convene an informal but critical meeting Tuesday morning (Nov. 12) after concerns were raised about singing, drumming and cultural activities being terminated at Seabird Island Community School. The band says those concerns are not true, and that singing, drumming and culture will continue at Seabird Island Community School. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island)

Sq’éwqel (Seabird Island) leadership disputes rumors that singing and drumming will end at band school

Nov 12, 2024 | 8:59 AM

AGASSIZ — Sq’éwqel (Seabird Island) plans to convene an informal but critical meeting Tuesday morning (Nov. 12) after concerns were raised about singing, drumming and cultural activities being terminated at Seabird Island Community School.

According to a social media post from Sq’éwqel leadership, the First Nation band northeast of Agassiz says it will open its main boardroom to band members and residents Tuesday morning. It issued an urgent community notice on its Facebook page Monday night after it said Seabird Island leadership had become aware of what it calls “untrue statements” shared via social media and the coordinated actions as a result.

Band leadership says inaccurate communication or harmful rumors suggesting that Seabird Island Community School (SICS) would end the practice of drumming and singing within the local community are simply not true.

“We can affirm with certainty that there is not, and has never been, any intention of stopping drumming, singing or culture at the SICS,” the band said. “The mis-information shared has sincerely impacted the hearts of the Seabird Island leadership family.”

The band leadership says it became aware of an invitation shared on social media inviting community members to attend the Seabird Island Community School morning protocol Tuesday morning at 8:20 a.m. Band leadership says it cannot support a protest coming to morning protocols at SICS.

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“This is not an appropriate way to escalate concerns,” band leadership said on Facebook. “We do not want the Seabird Island Community School students involved or impacted by the thoughts and feelings held as a result of inaccurate and untrue information.”

Band leadership said Chief and Council members, the Seabird Island Chief Administrative Officer and the Seabird Island Strategic Advisor would be present in the board room this morning.