Summary:
Some publicly-funded denominational schools offer Indigenous history or cultural courses, but not all are mandatory and few were developed in collaboration with Indigenous elders.
The Call to Action:
We call upon all levels of government that provide public funds to denominational schools to require such schools to provide an education on comparative religious studies, which must include a segment on Aboriginal spiritual beliefs and practices developed in collaboration with Aboriginal Elders.
Analysis:
Some publicly-funded denominational schools offer Indigenous history or cultural courses, but not all are mandatory and few were developed in collaboration with Indigenous elders.
In a written statement to CBC News, a provincial spokesperson states that in Ontario, students across “both the public and Catholic school systems will be exposed to mandatory learning about Indigenous cultures and ways of knowing.”
In British Columbia, in a written statement to CBC News, a provincial spokesperson states “All faith-based schools in B.C. follow the B.C. curriculum, which includes specific aspects and references to Aboriginal cultures, languages, history and spirituality.” But it is not always mandatory.
B.C. revised its curriculum in 2015 to include teachings of residential schools and reconciliation for Grades 5, 10, 11 and 12 students.
In Alberta, the province has one publicly funded system of education, with two dimensions, public schools and separate schools. While students do learn about residential schools, the inclusion of a comparative religious course is decided by individual school authorities. Therefore not all students of denominational schools learn about Indigenous spirituality.
In Saskatchewan, a provincial spokesperson told CBC News in a written statement that “First Nations and Métis content, perspectives and ways of knowing are included in all Kindergarten to Grade 12 curricula in Saskatchewan. First Nations and Métis Elders provide feedback when Saskatchewan curricula documents are renewed.”
But when it comes to Catholic schools, while courses are offered, they are not mandatory.
“Opportunities to learn about First Nations and Métis traditional spiritual beliefs and practices are included in curricula such as the 2016 Grades 9-12 Catholic studies courses,” the provincial spokesperson states.
In Manitoba, in a statement to CBC News, a provincial spokesperson states the province supports the TRC Calls to Action and therefore have “introduced a number of mandatory outcomes to the Manitoba Social Studies curriculum related to treaty education and residential schools.”
The courses do not, however, specifically include information on Aboriginal spiritual belief and practices, nor are they mandatory for denominational schools funded by the province.
In Quebec, while there are now some courses that address Indigenous history, they are not mandatory for either public schools or provincially funded denominational schools.
In Yukon, while Catholic schools address some “components of Indigenous spirituality,” it’s part of a larger look at other cultures altogether, according to a written statement to CBC News. But they are revising the curriculum “and moving toward more integration of Yukon First Nations perspectives into all aspects of learning in their schools and culturally responsive learning that invites other cultural perspectives into the classroom with the redesigned curriculum.”
The governments of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland do not provide funding for denominational schools, therefore this Call to Action does not apply.