The Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB) has recently created six anti racism videos and put them on their website. But the videos are not meant for students, they're aimed at the teachers and are meant to assist in the professional development to enhance educators’ and staff.

The videos are part of an Anti-Racism Project and feature students, teachers, parents and board personnel all sharing personal stories, experiences and insights regarding racism. 

A quote from the Director of Education for GEDSB JoAnna Roberto, on the website says: "These interviews provide a springboard to action, and we hope the conversations they generate will be the first steps on a meaningful learning journey. The conversations are necessary, often uncomfortable and meant to confront our beliefs and understanding. But they are also meant to connect our hearts and minds as we work together to build a culture of learning, well-being and belonging.”

Pete Ashe is the Principal Leader of Safe and Inclusive Schools for the Grand Erie District School Board. He is also of mixed heritage and says, like many, he never felt included in the school system growing up.

Ashe says racism is not something you can deal with logically because it’s emotion based. Otherwise he says, “I could write a paper on the subject and racism would be over.”

Ashe says, there are still people/students who don’t feel represented in the education system.

The GEDSB has legal jurisdiction over education in Brant, Norfolk and Haldimand Counties, three counties which border Six Nations of the Grand. Ashe also says that the proximity of the GEDSB to Six Nations and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations played a role in the development of the anti-racism project.

Listen to the full CKRZ interview with Pete Ashe below.