Media.Knet.Ca

At least four First Nations bands have pulled their students from Fort Frances High School over a “racist” video involving a half-dozen non-native female students that ended up on the Internet.  One source told the Times late this morning that the video depicted the female students dancing to the sounds of a pow-wow while holding bottles of liquor.  The video apparently first surfaced on “Facebook,” the source said.

Unconfirmed reports late this morning indicate the six students, who reportedly were members of the Muskie girls’ hockey team, have been suspended from school and also kicked off the squad.  The team, slated to play its regular-season finale later today in Kenora, had just claimed first place in NorWOSSA for the first time in its history and was getting ready for its semi-final series here next Friday.

Students from Couchiching, Manitou Rapids, Nicickousemenecaning (Red Gut Bay), and Stanjikoming First Nations were pulled from the school over concerns for their safety, sources told the Times.  There was no word whether other bands had followed suit.  Police were on the scene this morning but no incidents were reported.  A meeting was being held late this morning at the multi-use facility at Couchiching to discuss the situation with students from there, one source said.  It’s not known yet how long the First Nations’ students will remain out of the school.

Fort High principal Gord McCabe could not be reached for comment prior to press time this morning.