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Reconciliation

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Expanding Indigenous Learning In School Curriculums

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Expanding First Nation, Métis and Inuit content and learning in the elementary curriculum.

The Minister of Education Stephen Lecce made the announcement Wednesday along with the Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford and Traditional Knowledge Keeper Vivian Roy at the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto.

This includes mandatory learning being added to the grade 1 to 3 social studies curriculums, focusing on topics such as:

  • The role of family and resilience in First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and nations
  • First Nations, Métis and Inuit historical and contemporary realities
  • Indigenous peoples’ interrelationship and connection with the land
  • The residential school system and the reclamation and revitalization of identity, language, culture and community connections.

It is being planned that this will be implemented into the curriculum by Sept. 2023.

Along with this, the ministry will be providing $23.96 million in Indigenous Education funding to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit students as part of a broader government commitment to reconciliation.

During the announcement Lecce stated that consultation was crucial in an undertaking such as this.

“Part of this is a recognition that there was a gap in the current compliment of learning, where grades one to three within our social science program did not have any learning related to Indigenous history, culture, contribution, and most specifically on residential schools,” explains Lecce. “Following the advice of Indigenous Leaders and Elders, and through a co-development process we’ve come to a decision point and we’ve been working with them for many months to be fair over 2021 to get to this place, to announce this formally, to take a step forward, both in context of language, in the strengthening of residential school learning, and the completion of learning between grade one and high school creating a continuum of learning, part of our commitment to reconciliation.”

Lecce goes on to say Ontario has requested that all school boards use Truth and Reconciliation Day to educate students on Indigenous contributions, along with the history of residential schools.

Ontario’s Regional Chief Glen Hare stated that he is very pleased with the announcement, and hopes to see continued efforts from the government.

“This will assist us in retaining the expertise required to ensure the educational priorities of First Nation communities are addressed in the provincial education system in a timely manner. We also look forward to establishing a robust and meaningful collaborative process with the Ministry of Education to ensure the experience and knowledge of First Nations in Ontario is accurately reflected throughout the province’s curriculum.”

This commitment falls in with Ontario’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, which were implemented in 2018.

Currently, there is mandatory learning on residential schools in grades 8 and 10.

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Orange Shirt Day: Honour the Journey-Commit To Reconciliation

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People across Canada will be wearing orange Wednesday in support of residential school survivors.

This year’s theme of Tikinagan Child and Family Services’ campaign is Honour the Journey: Commit to Reconciliation.

Executive Director of Tikinagan, Thelma Morris explains what they strive to accomplish by promoting Orange Shirt Day every year.

“By wearing orange, people can stand together with Indigenous peoples and honour the journey of resilience our peoples have made. Without the strength, courage and hope of our peoples, agencies like ours would not exist. We are a community based child and family well-being agency rooted in and accountable to the First Nations communities we serve because of the visionaries who fought against adversity to retain our rights and culture as First Nations.”

September 30th has been declared as Orange Shirt Day, to acknowledge the effects of residential school and to support reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

The date was chosen because it marks the time of year when children were taken from their homes to residential schools and presents an opportunity to set anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the school year.

Morris says acknowledgments like this are a step towards healing, awareness and reconciliation.

“I think it’s important to recognize anti-racism and anti-bullying because as indigenous peoples that is part of our history. Indigenous peoples never had a choice if they could stay at home and keep their kids at home. So we want to encourage anti-bulling, including cyber-bullying because you see a lot of negative media around indigenous population-stereotyping. So we’re hoping that we can create awareness that we’re still on a healing journey.

Morris adds it’s important to continue the conversation about residential schools and it’s affect on Indigenous people to this day.

“We do need to honour every person’s story about residential schools and making sure we continue to be open and talk about the history and generational trauma that we still see within our people.”

Tikinagan encourages Northwestern Ontario and the 30 First Nations they serve to acknowledge Orange Shirt Day, take the day as an opportunity to listen to Indigenous peoples and move forward towards reconciliation.

You can read more about Orange Shirt Day here.

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Dryden Council Aware Of Colonization Name Concerns

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Recent controversy surrounding the name Colonization Avenue is on the radar of Dryden City Council.

Members say they are aware of a new social media video denouncing the name.

Mayor Greg Wilson says a newly formed volunteer group is expected to look into the issue and possibly make a recommendation to Council.

“We will let the ‘Working Circle’, which was created through the efforts of Councillor Bush earlier this summer, get up and running so that Council has a means of moving forward on the matter of local reconciliation as per the federal governments Truth and Reconciliation mandate.”

Wilson says the ‘Working Circle’ has both Indigenous and non-Indigenous representation.

Wilson and Norm Bush both expect a “positive” report from the group in September.

The name change issue has been punted around the Council table before but has never received serious consideration.

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Dryden Council Approves Spirit Houses At Cemetery

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A Spirit House is now officially allowed at the Dryden Cemetery.

Council has overwhelmingly agreed to change its cemetery by-law to reflect the cultural importance and respect of a Traditional Gravehouse.

Shayne MacKinnon says this is an important step it their path towards reconciliation.

“It’s also indicative of how the City of Dryden can, and I believe will, become more aware of the needs of all of our community residents.

MacKinnon is hoping this paves the way for more change.

“As a proud community member I am very hopeful that this type of decision will be held out as an example when we consider naming or re-naming streets or facilities within the City. When we talk about the use of parks and structures on park property. When we talk about meaningful and lasting partnerships with our Indigenous neighbouring communities. When we talk about community well-being and safety. And when we follow-up on our strategic plans.”

The issue came to light last November when Everett Dylan MacKinnon-Ottertail was told to remove the Anishinaabe Spirit House on his late sister’s plot because of by-law violations.

That sparked a healthy conversation between the family and the City on Indigenous customs and reconciliation.

 

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MPP Calls For Action On Reconciliation

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Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples bill supporting reconciliation continues to collect dust.

Mamakwa introduced the legislation one year ago and it passed second reading, but has since been left in legislative limbo.

When asked about its status, Premier Doug Ford wouldn’t comment on if it will move forward.

“Well there’s never one step to reconciliation in my opinion. There’s always multiple steps and we have to constantly be doing a better job.”

Mamakwa says it’s clearly time for Ford to get to work so that First Nations basic human rights can be met.

“We must all demand that Indigenous Peoples are treated equitably under the law. After more than 150 years of colonialism, the status quo is no longer acceptable. As we have seen in demonstrations across the continent, the struggle for justice is real. Racial inequalities are not acceptable.”

The NDP critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation adds “The people of Ontario must ensure their government respects human rights for Indigenous communities.”

Meantime, the provincial government was asked this week to provide an update on reconciliation efforts with First Nations.

It’s been one year since the release of the final report on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Premier Doug Ford says it’s all about understanding the communities and relating to their concerns and feeling the pain that they have gone through.

“We’ve built up an incredibly strong relationship right across this province. I give all the credit to Minister Greg Rickford. Greg Rickford was a nurse and lived with First Nations communities for 7 to 8 years. He was in there helping these communities when they needed help most. No one was listening to them. As far as I’m concerned he’s the best minister for Indigenous Affairs. So we’re going to continue working with him and supporting him every which way we can.”

Ford adds they have a phenomenal relationship with First Nations and he appreciates their support and the great work they do on a daily basis.

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Reconciliation Policy Established For Nuclear Project

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The Nuclear Waste Management Organization has released a Reconciliation Policy as it continues to consult with five Ontario communities, including Ignace, on developing an underground repository.

Under the policy, the organization commits to respectful and meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples and communities as well as annually publishing a Reconciliation plan.

Manager of Indigenous Engagement Sean Ross says they will be providing cultural awareness and reconciliation training to all staff and contractors.

Ross stresses their employees need the proper tools in order to measure the organizations commitments to Indigenous peoples in the years moving forward.

He talks about why it’s so important to work with First Nations.

“They will be partners in this project, wherever we land. We have been having an on-going dialogue and developing policies and providing our staff with the appropriate education and tools to put those policies in place.”

Ross notes they have been working closely with First Nations since 2002.