Ontario announces school curriculum changes to mandate Indigenous learning in Grades 1 to 3
CTV
The Ontario government announced changes to the school curriculum, committing to strengthening Indigenous learning in Grades 1 to 3 in the next two years, including an introduction to the residential school system.
On Wednesday, the Progressive Conservative government said it hopes to “address the current gap” in Indigenous learning by adding lessons about First Nations people into the social studies curriculum for the first three grades by September 2023. This includes the following:
The government says the changes are in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action.
The government also committed to providing $23.96 million in Indigenous education funding in 2021-22 “as part of a broader commitment to reconciliation.”
“Including Indigenous content and voices in Ontario’s curriculum – along with mandatory learning on residential schools – is a meaningful way that we can address issues of racism, Indigenous student well-being and advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples,” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement.
