First Nations groups slam Quebec's new 'Citizenship and Culture' course
CBC
First Nations groups in Quebec say the new compulsory Quebec Citizenship and Culture program for elementary and high school students is a step backward, rooted in "nationalist ideology," that was prepared without significant consultation with First Nations.
Education Minister Jean-François Roberge announced Sunday that a new curriculum would replace the province's current Ethics and Religious Culture program, known as ERC.
The new course is meant to focus more on Quebec culture, something premier François Legault said in his recent inaugural speech would help promote "national cohesion."
Denis Gros-Louis, director general of the First Nations Education Council of Quebec, told CBC Wednesday that even the name of the new course is problematic.
"Our greatest surprise was the use of 'Québécois' as an adjective, painting everybody with the same brush," Gros-Louis said.
"And that it would be central to citizenship — we're not citizens!" he continued.
"There's not a single citizenship in Quebec. There are several cultures. There are several languages," Gros-Louis added.
"It's kind of of like telling First Nations that you have to be a good Québécois first, but we'll talk about you in our course. Uhhh — no," Gros-Louis said.
In the statement announcing the new program, Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière was quoted as saying that the new curriculum was developed in consultation with representatives from First Nations and Inuit communities.
In an email to CBC Wednesday, Lafrenière's spokesperson Mathieu Durocher said the First Nations Education Council was one of the groups consulted.
Gros-Louis said that's not true.
"No. It was never, never discussed in any way, shape or form," Gros-Louis said.
He said the council is part of a group that's been working with the ministry since January to make changes to the existing ERC curriculum.
But Gros-Louis said the idea of renaming the course and focusing on "Quebec citizenship" was never discussed.