Write to the Chair of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)  Lynn Scott, with copies to OCDSB Trustees and the OCDSB Director of Education.

What Happened?

During OCDSB meeting on April 8th, 2025, Trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth stated that the mere sight of the Keffiyeh, worn by a presenter, was “an act of aggression.”

Here is the link to April 8, 2025 – OCDSB Community Of the Whole (COW) Meeting recording. Here are the timestamps of interest:

• 17:48 ACE Committee member wearing keffiyeh speaks
• 21:20 Trustee Kaplan-Myrth makes her racist statement that the wearing of the Keffiyeh             is an “act of aggression”
• 30:10 Trustee Lilli Miller calls on Trustee Kaplan-Myrth to apologize, but is cut off.  
• 3:32:00 Trustee Donna Blackburn brings up the topic under new business.

Why is it wrong?

The statement is an explicit act of anti-Palestinian racism. The Keffiyeh is a traditional garment rooted in the Palestinian culture. The statement associates this cultural symbol with violence. Trustee Cathryne Milburn, who was chairing the meeting, failed to recognize this statement as a form of racism and accept it. The Director of Education, Mr. Pino Buffone, failed to affirm the existing board policy permitting wearing Keffiyeh for identity expression.

Why must parents and community members speak up?

Our students attending OCDSB schools will be denied of wearing their Keffiyeh and will be accused of aggression, antisemitism or anti-Israeli racism. Parents and community members need to protect the rights of children, stand up for targeted racism and oppression. Parents and community members must make OCDSB accountable for violating their existing policies and for failing to protect staff and students.

Why does this matter to you?

It is a dangerous precedent if we allow the board or any member of the OCDSB staff and elected trustees to violate existing human rights policies and fail to protect OCDSB community members’ rights.

What should parents and community members do?

Write letters to the chair of OCDSB Board, Mrs. Lynn Scott and CC all Trustees and the Director of Education.

What are the demands?

The demands are:

1. The board to discipline Trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth for her racist statement.
2. The board to issue a public written apology to parents and students for failing to respond to this incident of racism.
3. The board to affirm its commitment to combating all form of racism and in particular anti-Palestinian racism.

What existing policy protects students’ rights to wear Keffiyeh?

• OCDSB Expression of Identity and Global Conflicts policy states:

Expressions of IdentityAll students have the right to express their identities. This must be balanced with the responsibility not to inadvertently perpetuate anti-Arab racism, anti-Israeli racism, anti-Palestinian racism, antisemitism, or Islamophobia.  Permitted ExpressionsClothing: Students are permitted to wear clothing, sashes, etc. displaying flags, maps, country colours, keffiyehs, etc. and including slogans or symbols, etc.Flags: Students are permitted to carry, wear, and display flags in personal spaces, including in desks, inside lockers, or on avatars etc.Maps: Students are permitted to wear and display maps, including historical maps, in personal spaces including desks, lockers, on avatars or in signature lines, etc.

• Ontario Social Sciences and Humanities, Grade 11 Curriculum, page 126 section B1.3 and page 361.

How to delegate to the board?

OCDSB allows for parents and members of the community to submit written or in-person delegation at one of its meetings. Upcoming meetings are April 24th and April 29th.

Here is OCDSB Delegation Process information:

• https://www.ocdsb.ca/about-us/board-of-trustees/delegations

You can find more information about delegating to the board here:

• OCDSB Board Meetings and Delegations

Learn more about

Ottawa Families Against APR – Towards Collective Voice and Representation at the OCDSB