Investigation continues into Lanigan, Sask. high school hazing

LANIGAN, Sask. – Police in Lanigan, Sask. continue to investigate a high school initiation.

A letter posted to the Lanigan Central High School website confirms some students were injured in the hazing ritual.

“My staff and I were saddened to learn that young people were physically harmed at the “freshie” party this past weekend,” said the unsigned and undated letter.

“Even though that event happened outside of school hours, the fall-out has come to the school. All of our students deserve support to move through the effects of this event.

“The school must remain a safe place for all students.”

Local residents say the tradition of paddling grade nine students has taken place for years and has divided the town of around 1,400.

Some continue to defend the ritual while others are infuriated with the injuries inflicted on the students.

The practice is frowned upon by the school.

“Initiation into high school is not an activity supported by Lanigan Central High School or Horizon School Division,” the school said in a letter dated Sept. 5 to parents.

“Do you know that hitting someone with a paddle is assault? These activities are no longer acceptable in society.

“The fall-out from these activities via the social media is exponentially more than children used to deal with years ago.”

RCMP confirmed with Global News on Saturday that a number of students have been charged with assault, but aren’t saying how many and say more charges may be pending as the investigation continues.

The school says in its letter it is working with the RCMP and are asking parents to report any concerns that arose from the “freshie party.”

They also say parents will be kept informed as the investigation into the hazing progresses and said initiations or hazing are in full contradiction to their anti-bullying strategies taught at the school.

Lanigan is approximately 115 kilometres east of Saskatoon.