Superintendent’s Tribute: Indigenous education cultural coordinator and volunteer basketball coach honoured at Board meeting
On June 26, 2022, the first inaugural Superintendent's tribute took place. The tribute honours remarkable individuals in the District who consistently go above and beyond their role. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional members of the community who epitomize dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment student success.
Selected by Superintendent Helen McGregor, each recipient receives an honorary plaque designed and created by Spirit Works Gallery. The wooden plaque depicts four people working together in a canoe. Three of the figures represent the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh), while the fourth represents the District. The image represents all four groups working together on a shared learning journey.
Trudi Harris, Indigenous education cultural coordinator, and Yash Zandiyeh, Killarney Secondary volunteer basketball coach, were honoured as the first recipients of the Superintendent’s tribute at the June Board meeting.
Trudi Harris is a member of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) nation and has Gitxsan heritage. She has been an Indigenous cultural coordinator with the District since 1988. Harris is the granddaughter of xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) chief and activist Gertrude Guerin. Superintendent McGregor praised Harris for continuing her family’s work in advocating for the rights of xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.
“Trudi’s fierce advocacy for indigenous rights and indigenous education has benefitted the Vancouver School Board for the last 35 years. She works tirelessly to ensure the history, cultures, traditions, and languages of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh) nations are visible in both the curriculum and school communities for students to see,” Superintendent McGregor said. “Her work as a cultural coordinator for the VSB has helped to bring the three nations together as well as developed and strengthened stronger ties in the spirit of Na’tsa’maht - we are one.”
Yash Zandiyeh has been a volunteer basketball coach at Killarney Secondary for over fifteen years. He founded BC Hoop Scoop to promote the sport in the community and organized a shoe drive to provide footwear to those in need across Canada. He is hard of hearing and has a speech impediment. Superintendent McGregor said that overcoming those challenges has helped Zandiyeh develop empathy when dealing with students, and to demonstrate courage and determination. He is credited with changing the Killarney basketball culture through his coaching and volunteer work.
Congratulations to Harris and Zandiyeh! The Superintendent's Tribute stands as a beacon of gratitude, illuminating the path of inspiration for all staff members. It serves as a reminder that your efforts are not in vain and that your extraordinary commitment does not go unnoticed.
