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‘Mae’s owes little indigenous boy an apology’ – Min. Garrido-Lowe
Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe
“I am so sorry that the little boy had to go through such a terrible event. I think the Mae’s School owes him an apology.”
This statement was made by Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, in response to the incident involving a student who was sent away after his indigenous wear was deemed inappropriate by the teachers during the school’s culture day.
The Minister said, “I think that they should have thought it through and viewed it as his culture. They should have invited him in and explained it to the other students who may not have understood. They should have taken the opportunity to teach the children about the indigenous culture.”
During the Ministry’s monthly television programme, Minister Garrido-Lowe pointed out that ‘culture day’ at schools is a very exciting time for students.
“It is a time when students get an opportunity to express themselves through cultural outfits.”
The Minister stated, “…I think the boy was very proud to wear his indigenous garb. I see nothing wrong with that because every year, we have Indigenous Heritage Month, where the first five days are celebrated with dance and song. People make their own costumes.
It is not every day that an indigenous person walks down the road wearing Tibisiri skirts, necklaces and headdress, but that’s Culture Day when you want to wear something that depicts your heritage.”
The Minister, however, noted that the issue sparked a conversation on social media that was needed, because “it is time we start embracing each other’s culture and tradition.”
The refusal to allow the student into the school’s premises sparked a protest in front of Mae’s school yesterday. Rights activists, NGOs and other citizens and the boy’s mother Karen Small all participated.
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