New First Nations curriculum chance to tell other side of story

SCHOOL DISTRICT 51 SAYS THERE’S GROWING INTEREST IN ABORIGINAL CULTURE

Students across Alberta may soon share in the nation’s Truth and Reconciliation process. This week, Education Minister Dave Eggen released a series of lesson plans and resources focusing on Canadians’ treatment of our aboriginal peoples.

The lessons will also highlight features of the many First Nations cultures, he says.

“It is critical our students understand the history of residential schools, along with the histories and vibrant cultures of indigenous communities and the role we have to play in reconciliation,” he said.

“It’s equally important teachers have the tools they need to feel empowered to teach this important material in the classroom.”

The initial release provides material suitable for students up to Grade 9, education department officials say. High school-level lessons and resources will be unveiled in the spring.

For now, officials add, Alberta schools and teachers have the option to use the new curricular material, or file it away. Later, it will be required.

Though Lethbridge schools provide a variety of courses and programs for First Nations students, officials at District 51 say none of it currently covers the troubled history following the European settlers’ takeover of traditional native land.

Morag Asquith, the public schools’ associate superintendent of instructional services, says the Blackfoot language is an optional course in a number of schools. And the school district has a teacher who provides instruction and services for First Nations students in its secondary schools.

“I see this as an opportunity,” she says.

Now it won’t be just First Nations, Metis and Inuit students who understand what happened to aboriginal people after European contact.

There’s growing interest in aboriginal culture and history, she notes. And non-native students are learning Blackfoot.

“We definitely have been offering cultural opportunities.”

With new curricular material now available, Asquith says, teachers have an opportunity review it to see how those historical issues could be included in future lessons.

“We’ve taught history from a Euro-centric perspective,” she says.

But now there’s an opportunity tell the other side of the story.

“We can do it better,” now that Canadians are considering the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Preparation of the new teaching material followed the provincial government’s 2016 announcement that updated curricula would be developed in six “core” subject areas, and would include First Nations, Metis and Inuit content at every grade level.

That process, officials say, includes collaboration with the College of Alberta School Superintendents, the Alberta Association of Deans of Education, the Alberta School Boards Association and the Alberta Teachers’ Association, as well as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Follow @DMabellHerald on Twitter