RCMP say a First Nations teacher who was taken from her school in Nanaimo last Friday was not abducted.

Roxanne Harris, 32, was taken from her office at North Oyster Elementary School by four members of the Chemainus band, including her father, as part of a longhouse ceremony.

Roxanne Harris, 32, was taken by members of the Chemainus band, including her father, from her office at North Oyster Elementary School.
(CBC)

One witness reported Harris told her escorts she did not want to go with them, but an expert in First Nations traditions said that could have been part of the theatrics associated with the winter dance.

Richard Vedan, the director of the First Nations House of Learning at the University of British Columbia, told CBC News on Tuesday the winter dance is a secret, ancient ceremony practised by some Coast Salish First Nations. 

"You're given these teachings and you go through dancing. You carry that and you have a responsibility to conduct yourself in a particular way," said Vedan.

When an individual is chosen for the rite-of-passage ceremony, the process can last up to three months, said Vedan.

After Harris was taken from the school, rumours began swirling about the incident. Many witnesses thought it was an actual abduction, prompting the RCMP in Ladysmith to investigate.

Police said after talking to those involved, they believed there were no criminal acts related to the incident, and Harris was not in danger.

"The school board was aware of this. There was a lot of communications prior to this person attending the longhouse ceremony, so we're satisfied that there was nothing criminal in nature that happened," said RCMP Corp. Ron MacLennan.

"People were made aware. The exact time may not have been an item that was divulged, but they were aware that this was going to happen and arrangements had been made between those participating and the school board," said MacLennan.

Neither the school board nor the Chemainus band will comment on the incident or say when Harris will return to her job.

The president of the Nanaimo District Teachers Association said the whole incident has raised concerns with students and staff at the school, and among teachers at other area schools.

Kip Wood told CBC News he's met with school district officials to discuss the matter, but he still has several concerns.

"My main concern is about safety.… How did this happen? Were there decisions made that allowed this to happen?" said Wood on Tuesday.