First Nations boy, 8, cuts long hair after bullying in Cold Lake, Alta. school

[geardaddy]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/long-hair-bullying-cold-lake-1.4347575

A young First Nations boy from Cold Lake, Alta., cut his long hair Saturday after enduring what his family called years of bullying in school.

Mylon McArthur, 8, told his mother Tiya-Marie Large he wanted to cut his hair, which had been long all his life, after feeling overwhelmed from constant bullying at Cold Lake Elementary School.

"He told me he did not want his hair anymore," said Large. "I cried. His hair is who we are, it's a part of us, it's his language, it's his pride."

Despite not wanting him to cut his hair and "let the bullies win," she spotted the opportunity to raise awareness about cultural racism and bullying.

"My son is a very loving, capable, caring person," said Large. "He was bullied every day, every recess, every out-of-day school program session. He was always sad, he didn't want to go to school. This was affecting his well-being."

Friday, Mylon and his mother made a video and posted it to Facebook to bring awareness to the significance of long hair in Indigenous cultures.

https://i.cbc.ca/1.4347763.1507653558!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg
Mylon MacArthur's braids in the salon after being cut on Saturday. (Tiya-Marie Large/Submitted)

Fucking asshole bullies.

[Siwsan]

1. That is so sad, and beyond

[Journeyman]

2. I hope he now finds the happiness and acceptance he desires . . .

though I doubt he will.

Being a child is difficult enough. It's terrible when you're on the outs.

[Leghorn21]

3. Goddamit. US NA kids were shipped off to the Carlisle School in PA back in the day. They were

forced to wear shoes, cut their hair, and never speak in their native tongue.



All blessings, young Mylon and mom.

Goddamit.

[uppityperson]

4. This is really sad but they're using it to educate people

Best wishes to this young man, may his classmates have learned tolerance as he grows his braids back.

[MustLoveBeagles]

5. Children can be so cruel

The white boy who cut his hair when he was younger should've been disciplined. I wish this adorable little boy nothing but the best going forward.