Students calling for Calgary high school to change its ‘racist’ name
Posted Jun 8, 2020 5:50 pm.
Last Updated Jun 10, 2020 6:18 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A petition has been posted online from students who would like to see the name of William Aberhart High School be changed.
The petition claims that Aberhart was a racist.
“William Aberhart was the seventh premier of Alberta, from 1935 until his death in 1943. He was a preacher, a teacher, and was instrumental during the early years of the Alberta Teacher’s Association. He was also racist, homophobic, and a supporter of eugenics.”
It goes on to say, “under Aberhart, the Alberta government demanded a contract stating that the federal government would deport Japanese Canadians from British Columbia at the end of the Second World War. Alberta was the only province that requested such an agreement.”
William Aberhart was a teacher during the early years of the Alberta Teachers Association.
The Calgary Board of Education released a statement Monday that reads “We are aware of concerns raised by individuals regarding the name of one of our high schools, William Aberhart High School.”
“The Calgary Board of Education has a process of examining our school names, mascots and logos. We are committed to respectful dialogue that honours the traditions of schools and the interests of all concerned stakeholders.”
