Missionaries not welcome in classrooms

SARA MINOGUE

Two American missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hit a snag when they made a pitch to the Iqaluit District Education Authority on Sept. 27. It was the first big setback for the pair, who have been well-received elsewhere in town.

They had hoped to go into classrooms and discuss the Book of Mormon with students, which missionary Elder Gamble pointed out had recently been ranked in book listings as “one of the 10 most influential books.”

In addition to presenting an educational overview of their faith, the missionaries said that their visit could be an opportunity for students to increase their awareness and appreciation of a different culture and religion.

This was the first time that Mormon missionaries have requested classroom time with the students, and board members were less than thrilled with the idea.

“Not my kids,” said vice-president Aseena Allurut, who was at the meeting.

Board member Katherine Trumper, on behalf of the group, raised a concern that there was no precedent for allowing a specific religious group in the classroom.

Inuksusk High principal Terry Young replied that there have been presentations in the past that “did not result in a good thing.” Young also said that the board had denied requests from religious groups for the last five years.

The missionaries informed the board that several schools in Quebec had allowed missionaries into their schools. At Trumper’s prompting, they agreed to present letters of references from the principals of those schools.

“Frankly I was somewhat surprised that they didn’t have those [references] in hand,” says Trumper.

The missionaries then told the board that other missionaries had set up kiosks in southern schools, where students could find information on their church and beliefs if they so chose. They suggested organizing a religious fair, featuring representatives of multiple denominations, open to the community at large.

This idea was well-received, although the IDEA was not interested in taking part in organizing such an event.

In the end, Young, the principal, suggested the board consult the Education Act to see if there are any specific guidelines pertaining to religion in the classroom before their next meeting.

He appeared concerned about the precedent that would be set if missionaries from one faith were allowed a captive audience in schools.

The growing evangelical movement in Nunavut, as well as the increasing interest from other southern groups moving North — as illustrated by the missionaries’ current visit — indicates an interest among religious representatives in spreading the gospel.

“What it would open the door to is in question,” Young told the board.

Trumper’s chief concern about the request was what other parents will think.

“We represent the interest of parents of all denominations, and no denominations, and I think there would be… concern about specific religious teachings in the school,” Trumper says.

Trumper was also worried about the lack of context for a religious discussion.

“We don’t have a religious studies program at the high school, which would be the obvious place to have those discussions,” she says.

“It’s not the Mormons… it’s the issue of a specific religion in the classroom,” Trumper said.

As for the references the board requested, Gamble later told Nunatsiaq News that the president of his mission was working on getting the letters, but confessed that it may be difficult.

“It’s been over a year now and the missionaries who did those presentations have already gone home.”

The next IDEA meeting will be held on October 18 at Nakasuk School.