Ontario publisher recalls kids’ workbook

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 called “Moving Out” that says First Nations peoples agreed to move to different areas to make room for European settlers to move in.

Critics say the text glosses over the history of the Indigenous population, pointing out that First Nations peoples were forced off their land. The Popular Book Company Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ont., had initially promised the book would be revised in later editions, but said in a statement Tuesday it would recall 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.”

Jennifer Dockstader, executive director at the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, said the language used in the book perpetuates negative stereotypes about First Nations peoples. It suggests Indigenous people are simple-minded, didn’t have robust societies and wanted to be isolated — none of which is true, Dockstader said.

But Ian Sullivan, whose son is in the fourth grade and used the workbook last year, said he had no problem with the material. Sullivan, who said his mother was Indigenous and his father was Irish, said he was taught Indigenous history in stages. The violence inflicted upon First Nations peoples wasn’t taught until he was older and that’s how he intends to teach his kids, he said.