Schoolbook recall over Indigenous history

An Ontario publishing company is recalling a children’s educational workbook that critics say misinforms kids about injustices faced by First Nations when European settlers arrived in Canada.

The book — “Complete Canadian Curriculum Grade 3” — has a section that says First Nations peoples agreed to move to different areas to make room for European settlers.

Critics say the text glosses over the history of the country’s Indigenous population, pointing out that First Nations peoples were forced off their land.

The Popular Book Company Canada, based in Richmond Hill, had initially promised the book would be revised in later editions, but said in a statement issued Tuesday that it would be recalling the current edition immediately.

“We know that our Complete Canadian Curriculum Grade 3 does not provide an accurate depiction of the interaction between Canada’s First Nations and European settlers,” it said. “While we cannot undo what has already been published, we are committed to making things better for future editions.”

The company, which said its aim has always been to publish quality workbooks, apologized to First Nations communities, customers, vendors and partners.

“We know that we have to do better and we know that it will take us some time to improve upon this experience,” it said, noting it would be asking First Nations communities for help on how to best write about that part of Canadian history.