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New Abbotsford elementary school named after Indigenous teacher Irene Kelleher

Longtime education figure in Abbotsford will have name on new Eagle Mountain school
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The new elementary school on Eagle Mountain is being named after former teacher and principal Irene Kelleher. She is known as the first person of Indigenous descent to earn a B.C. teaching certificate. (File photo)

The new elementary school on Eagle Mountain finally has a name - Irene Kelleher Elementary.

The Abbotsford board of education approved the name at its meeting on Sept. 21, and will also incorporate the Halq’eméylem term “Totí:ltawtxw” (house of learning) into the official title.

The naming committee - comprised of trustee, staff, community, and student representation - brought three options forward to the board for consideration. After compiling the near 800 submissions received during the spring consultation period, the top three names presented included: Sp’oq’es Heights Elementary, Irene Kelleher Elementary and Kathleen Cooper Elementary.

RELATED: Family of first Indigenous teacher in B.C. is subject of new book

Kelleher was born and raised in Matsqui and was the first person of Indigenous ancestry to receive a B.C. teaching certificate. She faced prejudice both based on her race and gender, as she was initially rejected after applying to teach in Abbotsford.

She began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse near Terrace, B.C. in 1921 and then at other locations across B.C.

Kelleher eventually obtained a job at Abbotsford’s North Poplar Elementary, where she became principal during the Second World War. She retired in Abbotsford in 1964 after 44 years of teaching and died on March 16, 2004 at the age of 102.

Her nomination package included dozens of names of those advocating for her and many letters discussing why it would be a fitting tribute to a remarkable career and life.

Throughout October, the district will research Irene Kelleher’s legacy and consult with its Indigenous stakeholders to ensure “Totí:ltawtxw” is appropriately reflected in the new school’s identity.

“As a Board, we’re delighted to provide a worthy name for our new school to acknowledge the contributions and educational service of Irene Kelleher,” stated Dr. Stan Petersen, chair for the Abbotsford board of education.

The new elementary school in Abbotsford is scheduled to open at the start of the school year in September 2022.

RELATED: Construction begins on new Eagle Mountain elementary school in Abbotsford

26739164_web1_211007-ABB-school-1_1
The new elementary school on Eagle Mountain is being named after former teacher and principal Irene Kelleher. She is known as the first person of Indigenous descent to earn a B.C. teaching certificate. (File photo)


Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
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