Writers welcome move to make Indigenous literature mandatory in Quebec schools
CBC
For the first time, Quebec elementary and secondary school students will be required to read the works of Indigenous authors.
A new version of the French-language curriculum, which is slated to come into effect in the 2026-27 school year, will include the mandatory reading of a minimum of two Indigenous literary works. A poem, a play or a song are also considered texts.
Jay Odjick, writer, artist and television producer from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg First Nation in western Quebec, said the news came as a surprise.
"No matter what our nation is ... literature is a great way to learn about the experiences and realities of people sharing this land," he said on CBC's Breakaway.
"In general, it's a welcome move and I think we should support and celebrate it."
Odjick said other measures should accompany the new curriculum, including finding authentic Indigenous voices and building stronger bridges of communication between Indigenous and non-Indigenous teachers and other players in the education system.
He said it's important to educate teachers about the realities and challenges facing Indigenous peoples today.
"Just so we’re not kind of throwing teachers into the deep end of the pool and saying: 'Here, teach this stuff,' but making sure that they have some grounding in why it’s important," explained Odjick.
Specializing in graphic novels, Odjick added that people might be "surprised" to discover the diversity of Indigenous books and material.
"It's not just one thing and it's not just period piece drama about serious issues. There's things that are lighter-hearted," Odjick said. "I hope some of this stuff finds its way to kids who ordinarily might not have been exposed to it."
Michel Jean, former journalist and Innu author, told Radio-Canada the government’s decision is "encouraging."
"Where things are still stuck and moving more slowly is at the institutional level and in everything political," said Jean.
He pointed out that teachers have been putting Indigenous books, including his, on their curriculum for a long time because they felt something was missing.
"The teachers were already there," he said, noting that institutions are the ones now catching up.
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