Efforts to update Indigenous lesson plans scaled back,
Deputy Chief says axing Indigenous sessions is a ‘step backwards’
Ontario’s new Progressive Conservative government is sticking with an updated curriculum to reflect the experience of Indigenous peoples, although efforts to improve the lesson plan are being scaled back.
“The Ministry of Education will continue to move ahead with the updated Truth and Reconciliation Commission curriculum revisions,” said Ben Menka, a spokesperson for Education Minister Lisa Thompson. Menka said Monday the ministry would “work with experts, elders and Indigenous communities to develop the support materials for the updated curriculum.” But the ministry cancelled this week’s planned discussions on further updates.
“The Ministry of Education cancelled three writing sessions: Truth and Reconciliation Commission curriculum revisions; American sign language; (and) Indigenous languages in kindergarten,” said Menka, noting “the ministry moved ahead with the cancellation unilaterally, with no direction from the minister of education.”
That’s in part due to an acrossthe-board austerity push by the new Conservative administration sworn in on June 29.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox warned that cancelling the writing sessions was “a step backwards.”
“Truth-sharing and education on the Indian residential school experience is one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action,” said Fox.
The new curriculum was developed in partnership with Indigenous leaders and stems from a key recommendation of the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission so Ontario students can learn about residential schools and other dark chapters of Canadian history.
Ford has promised to revamp the modernized sex-education curriculum in a bid to appease social conservatives who fear it is not age-appropriate.