A major step has been taken to educate youth in Northwestern Ontario about the impacts of residential schools.
Following today’s launch of a Residential School Curriculum, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says the first step is to work with with NAN communities and educators to help implement the curriculum for grades 9-12.
The next step is to work with school boards across the province in hopes offering the curriculum.
Fiddler says it’s important that Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals know about the history of the residential schools and the damage they caused.
The main objectives of the curriculum are:
1. To increase awareness of the Residential School System
2. To increase awareness and understanding of what NAN members experienced in Residential Schools
3. To promote awareness in reclaiming language, culture and skills
4. To promote individual healing in the context of rebuilding links with families, communities and Elders.
Fiddler says they have been working towards having something like this for the past 5-years.
