Outraged! Thunder Bay Mom Wants answers

[Oleg Bach]

This is a new thread to me, too.... but what strikes me about the commentary is the apparent belief that being a TA is some sort of professional career.

It pays about the same as being a sandwich artist, and requires about the same level of professional credentials.

It was an asinine, utterly outrageous thing to do-- a disgrace. So... who was directing and supervising her work?

No one - same as teachers that take a dislike to an unruly child - who prescribe the body stunting stimulant, Ritalin...odd how a person without a degree in medicine or no real knowledge of how certain pharma product actually works - have the power to altler the lives of young children in a negative manner.

[GostHacked]

Fire her ass. Simple as that. Unwarranted, and uncalled for and crossed the line. Even if the parents don't respond (i doubt contact was initiated at all) this does not mean 'sure go ahead cut the hair'.

[dre]

This is a new thread to me, too.... but what strikes me about the commentary is the apparent belief that being a TA is some sort of professional career.

It pays about the same as being a sandwich artist, and requires about the same level of professional credentials.

It was an asinine, utterly outrageous thing to do-- a disgrace. So... who was directing and supervising her work?

Exactly... where was the "teacher" she was "assisting". Might need to be multiple firings

[Pliny]

Was the TA's name Jezebel?

The chain of command was breached in this case. It is more of an assault to the parent and parental authority in general, than on the child. Consultation with the parents should have been the avenue to take.

And Oleg points to another overstepping of authority teachers assume their professionalism provides them - the diagnosis of a medical condition.

[fellowtraveller]

Suspension or firing is not the question at hand, those are workplace issues to be resolvedf by her employer.

The question is : did a criminal assault take place?

The answer is clearly 'yes'.

The intentions of the TA are not relevant.

[ToadBrother]

It wasn't a ponytail; it was his bangs, which the TA saw were hampering the kid's vision. We've sunk to new lows if the definitions of assault and violation now include trimming some brat's bangs so he can see properly. However, I doubt this is really about the hair; that, I suspect, is just serving as a convenient doorway for another FNs person to run out and cry victim, with the ubiquitous cash payments to follow in return. Had the kid not been aboriginal, this would never have made even a ripple.

If it was my kid, I'd raise hell.

Edited October 29, 2009 by ToadBrother

[politicslvr]

charter.rights,

I know this is off-topic, but is your reason for proposing a boycott of the 2010 Winter Olympics solely related to the native lands issue?

[charter.rights]

charter.rights,

I know this is off-topic, but is your reason for proposing a boycott of the 2010 Winter Olympics solely related to the native lands issue?

Somewhat. It is the continued stance of refusal of the Canadian and provincial governments to properly consult, accommodate and reconcile with First Nations over land and cultural rights BEFORE advancing commercial or political development.

The Supreme Court has ruled on many cases that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms requires us to enter into meaningful consultation with First Nations over any action that may affect their land or aboriginal rights. That is the rule of law that is blatantly ignored on almost every instance.

I encourage the boycott of the Olympics on that basis - that First Nations were not fully consulted and accommodated - and the staging of the Olympics on unceded territory demonstrates to the world that Canada is still imposing colonialism on aboriginal peoples. This action is evidence of the continued genocide against aboriginal people in Canada.

Edited October 31, 2009 by charter.rights

[noahbody]

This is just another example of the kind of thinking of the majority of Canadians.

Yeah, Oleg speaks for the majority of Canadians.

That same thinking is what has prolonged genocide, institutionalized racism, scooped children from their homes and sent hundreds of thousands through torture and abuse-laden residential schools.

I'm sorry, but if you think that's how the majority of Canadians feel, the problem is with you. In 2009, Canadians hug terrorists.

[KeyStone]

Sure, the aide shouldn't have done it.

But I don't think they held the kid down while he struggled against it. I think there was some cooperation involved.

But, now, you'll see the family try to sue the school board for millions of dollars, claiming that his spirit was in his hair, and it has been violated and a bunch of other malarkey.

The very worst thing that would be done by marginally reasonable people will be to dismiss the aid.

But watch, that won't be enough. They will want big cash$.

What should happen is that the aide should apologize and offer to shave his/her hair for cancer. Then, perhaps the aide should be suspended without pay until he/she takes some cultural sensitivity courses, and some basics in what is appropriate behaviour with the students.

It's really a shame though, as this is just a person trying to make it easier for the child to see the computer screen, and who is now being villified. A bit absurd frankly.

[lictor616]

Somewhat. It is the continued stance of refusal of the Canadian and provincial governments to properly consult, accommodate and reconcile with First Nations over land and cultural rights BEFORE advancing commercial or political development.

what an absurd statement.

Our government bends over backwards to accommodate the fragile petulant whims and temper tantrums of natives. Natives have resorted to straight up armed insurrection and occupation lands and businesses (as surely as they did in caledonia) to hold up the government.

So much is already given to the sacrosanct natives, and you want more? Its amazing that you can say that about natives while babbling about equality and the "evils of racism" from the other side of your mouth...

its clear you're a racist and detest equality.

[charter.rights]

what an absurd statement.

Our government bends over backwards to accommodate the fragile petulant whims and temper tantrums of natives. Natives have resorted to straight up armed insurrection and occupation lands and businesses (as surely as they did in caledonia) to hold up the government.

So much is already given to the sacrosanct natives, and you want more? Its amazing that you can say that about natives while babbling about equality and the "evils of racism" from the other side of your mouth...

its clear you're a racist and detest equality.

Again, you haven't a clue....

There is a simple precept. The government is REQUIRED to comply with the law, no?

THE LAW requires that they consult and accommodate First Nations BEFORE they develop on unceded territory, or when it will affect their rights (such as hunting or fishing). This hasn't been done for the Olympics. The government (and all those corporations in support of the Olympics ) are in violation of the Supreme Law of Canada, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

To think otherwise is "un-Canadian" which clearly you are......

"CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

Whereas Canada is founded upon the principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law: "

So which is it? Are you being facetious or should government be subject to the "rule of law"?

Edited November 16, 2009 by charter.rights

[Oleg Bach]

I like one of the comments given below the article:

"The answer is very simple. Hold the teacher down and shave her head. Afterall it appears not to be a crime."

Indians (can I say that?) - should not have long hair - and those dumb Russians should not be able to wear those fir hats either! And the Jews with those little half pint bennies - should be a no no - and men asserting themselves as heads of households should be jailed and given anger management courses under the pain of death....Oh as for the teacher - after you shave her head they should paint it green with oil based paint..maybe rust paint of something. This teacher also sounds like the type that will go to the principle and say - I don't like that boy ...better file a report and suggest druggin the little bastard..the world is full of these bureacrats these days - they are simpltons.

[William Ashley]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/05/21/...r-bay-hair.html

The Crown doesn't think they will pursue charges. Outrageous!

big lawsuit, I'd sue the crown too.

[William Ashley]

There is a provision for an individual to act as prosecution, in criminal trials in Canada. You need to petition the judge to do so.

[thomas]

Being a Teenager in high school I know for a fact I would press charges if one of my teachers or teachers aids held me down and cut my hair, be it an assault charge I kinda doubt. How ever I do highly doubt this is an aboriginal based issue, and we are only getting one side of the story. Also has anyone else noticed that all charges lately have been more generalized? Like for instance an unwanted grope and full on rape are now classified as sexual assault now I condone neither but the label on one should be quite less than the label on the other which I believe is what some people where saying earlier on in this thread.

[Guest TrueMetis]

Being a Teenager in high school I know for a fact I would press charges if one of my teachers or teachers aids held me down and cut my hair, be it an assault charge I kinda doubt. How ever I do highly doubt this is an aboriginal based issue, and we are only getting one side of the story. Also has anyone else noticed that all charges lately have been more generalized? Like for instance an unwanted grope and full on rape are now classified as sexual assault now I condone neither but the label on one should be quite less than the label on the other which I believe is what some people where saying earlier on in this thread.

That's because sexual assault isn't the actual charge it's just a classification for any assault with a sexual element. In your example the grope would be an assault (the lowest form) and the rape would be aggravated assault. (the highest form)

[wyly]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/05/21/...r-bay-hair.html

The Crown doesn't think they will pursue charges. Outrageous!

it is, a really stupid move by the teacher...teachers have no business doing such a thing, would they consider doing this to a Hasidic jew or a Sikh...keep your hands off other people's kids...

Edited October 12, 2010 by wyly

[rammad]

Aw, this was a very nice post. In idea I want to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and on no account appear to get something done.