‘Education is what empowers the next generation of leaders. Student voice, therefore, is the voice of the future’

Tia Nootchtai of Lockerby Composite School and Alexandra Wilson-Zegil of Manitoulin Secondary School will serve as student trustees on the Rainbow District School Board for 2024-25.

They will also so-chair the Student Senate, which includes representatives from the board’s secondary schools in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin Island.

“On behalf of the board of trustees, I extend a warm welcome to Tia Nootchtai and Alexandra Wilson-Zegil,” board chair David Farrow said in a release. “They will have an opportunity to experience the decision-making process and learn more about public education locally and provincially.

“More importantly, they will represent the student voice at the board table and contribute to our collective focus on student achievement and well-being.”

Nootchtai will also serve as chair of the Indigenous Student Trustees’ Council in Ontario. Made up of Indigenous student trustees from across the province, the council seeks to support Indigenous student trustees while incorporating Indigenous voices into the work of the organization.