Actions and Commitments

Call to Action # 64: Education for Reconciliation (62-65)

Government Positions on Denominational Schools and Curriculum


British Columbia
All faith-based schools in B.C. follow the B.C. curriculum, which includes specific aspect and references to Indigenous cultures, languages, history, and spirituality. Post-secondary institutions govern their own programs and content and cover in pre-service teacher education programs that addresses education on Indigenous histories and cultures.

Alberta
Nothing specific about Indigenous spirituality.

Saskatchewan
Curriculum Development for Indigenous History and Culture: In 2007, mandatory Treaty Education was introduced in publicly-funded Saskatchewan Schools. The goal is that by the end of Grade 12, students will understand that Treaty relationships are based on a deep understanding of peoples’ identity which encompasses: languages, ceremonies, world-views, and relationship to place and the land.

Manitoba
Manitoba has a separate system but opted out in 1870

Ontario
As of September 2015, Ontario’s Faculties of Education are required to provide mandatory content that includes First Nation, Métis and Inuit histories, cultures, perspectives and ways of knowing

Quebec
Quebec did have a separate Catholic school system but opted out in 1997

New Brunswick
Nothing specific on Indigenous spirituality

Nova Scotia
Nothing specific on Indigenous spirituality

Prince Edward Island
Nothing specific on Indigenous spirituality

Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador had a separate catholic school system but opted out in 1998

Directive on Aboriginal Language and Cultural Base Education: In the Religious Studies Program Aboriginal Content is addressed through topics such as the developing an appreciation to the interconnectedness of all creation and an in- depth examination of Aboriginal beliefs systems, spirituality; symbols and rituals and the relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and the Moravian Missionaries.

Yukon
Yukon funds catholic schools but only to Grade 9.

Development for Indigenous History and Culture:  The actions the Department of Education in Yukon is taking in changing curriculum to include mandatory education on FNMI histories and cultures, particularly in response to the report of the TRC is the mandatory implementation of the Grade 10 Indian Residential School Unit. All students enrolled in Social Studies 10 are required to take part in the IRS Unit. It is also mandatory that all teachers teaching the unit participate in a two-day training session facilitated by First Nations Programs and Partnerships prior to teaching the IRS Unit. In the New Year we will have a group of teachers and department personnel working with our Curriculum Working Group (Elders we collaborate with as we work towards Yukon First Nations content in curricula) to create a Science First Peoples Unit for grade 5 to 8 students.

Northwest Territories
Territorial Government Initiatives: Directive on Aboriginal Language and Cultural Base Education: The 2004 ALCBE Ministerial Directive identified that all NWT educators infuse ALCBE into their daily teaching following either foundation curricula: Dene Kede or Inuuqatigiit. NWT schools incorporate Aboriginal language and culture-based activities to explore the languages, histories, activities, skills, knowledge, traditions and values of Aboriginal peoples

Nunavut
Nothing specific on Indigenous spirituality