The students, staff, and administrators of Yellowknife Catholic schools have reason to celebrate. Their battle to get the Northwest Territories government to reconsider its plan to amalgamate regional boards was successful.

In October of 2008 the Government of the Northwest Territories proposed the merger of 70 boards into seven. Had the merger been successful, the result would have seen the Yellowknife Catholic school board disappear as an independent board into a larger conglomeration that included not only Education boards - Public, Catholic and Francophone - but also other service delivery boards such as Health and Social Services, Culture and Employment, and the NWT Housing Corporation.

Upon first hearing of this proposal and presenting it to Yellowknife Catholic School Board Chair, Mary Vane, Superintendent Gwen Keith was opposed to the plan.

"Any time someone wants to define you who doesn't understand or appreciate who you are, it is dangerous territory," explains Keith. Her strong reaction to the proposal stemmed from the notion that stakeholders had not been consulted before the government introduced the bill and that it seemed to have been presented without any basis for the reforms.

The government's arguments for amalgamation included a desire to improve both efficiency and effectiveness, yet Yellowknife Catholic schools had never been informed as to how this related to their operation.

"We certainly believe in efficiency and effectiveness," notes Keith. "But we would like the opportunity to engage in a discussion. We would like to know the issues and be engaged in how to solve the problem."

Keith feels that this crucial missing dialogue should have occurred prior to the government proposing its amalgamation plan.

Both Vane and Keith sent letters and attempted to set up meetings with government members to discuss the proposal and express their concerns; however these attempts proved to be unsuccessful.

"We tried several things, but got no response," explains Keith. It was at this point that both Vane and Keith, spearheaded by Vane, began to organize a public action campaign.

"We engaged parents and all stakeholders," notes Vane, who held meetings with Parent Advisory Committees and spoke to the issue at all the masses. From this point, parents began to organize their own email campaigns and a prayer chain. Staff became involved in speaking to the issue both in their classrooms and in their communities. In addition, students became involved participating in a postcard campaign and making signs.

"We tried to look at this from the common issue of the right of choice for the community," notes Keith in explaining why there were so many members of both the Catholic community, and the larger community, interested in halting the merger.

All of this action culminated in a rally at the Northwest Territories Legislature on February 18, 2009, which totaled approximately 800 people throughout the day protesting against the proposed amalgamation from all areas affected by the proposal.

The result has been that the government has removed the merger plan for the time being and is now doing further research on its feasibility and other possible options.

One of the most rewarding things that has happened, in regards to the political action, for Vane, has been the recognition of support in Yellowknife for Catholic education.

"Sometimes you are in the midst of it and working so hard to make sure that Catholic education is available," says Vane. "What we did, our actions, reaffirm that yes parents and stakeholders really do care and are willing to stand up and fight to ensure that Catholic education remains. It is very gratifying."

For more information or updates on this issue, please visit the Yellowknife Catholic schools website.

All photos courtesy of Yellowknife Catholic Schools.