NEWS RELEASE
YORK CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
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The York Catholic District School Board of Trustees unanimously passed a motion that will see all Grade 11 students take the Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices course for their Grade 11 English credit. This change will take effect as of the upcoming summer semester.
The progressive move seeks to address two calls to action recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada related to education. The document states to "make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement" and "to develop and implement curriculum and learning resources on Aboriginal peoples in Canadian history, and the history and legacy of residential schools."
The First Nations, Métis, and Inuit studies curriculum introduces students to the rich diversity of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit histories, cultures, perspectives, and contributions, and to the critical importance of Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing in a contemporary global context.
“This is a great step forward in our goal to teach a more inclusive, anti-racist and accurate curriculum,” says Mary Battista, Interim Director of Education. “By focusing on works by Indigenous authors, students will engage in an academically challenging and rigorous curriculum that will be relevant and more pertinent to the history of our country. I strongly believe that this shift will better prepare students for a world that is more reflective of the cultural diversity of Canadian society.”
York Catholic has offered the Ministry of Education’s Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices course, NBE3C/NBE3U since 2016. In the current 2020-21 school year, 1,631 Grade 11 students are enrolled in the college and university versions of the course; this equates to 38 per cent of all Grade 11 students in the board.
“York Catholic has long been a proponent for working with members of the Indigenous community to seek ways we can better support truth and reconciliation,” says Dominic Mazzotta, Chair of the Board. “The First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices course will infuse a fresh new perspective and create more opportunities to celebrate Indigenous cultures and contributions in the classroom, which will benefit both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.”
"This is a first step that is long overdue and is what we have been working toward since 2007. The hard work has now become a reality and validates the ongoing work toward reconciliation," says Todd Jamieson, member of the Oneida of the Thames First Nation, community partner, storyteller and steering committee collaborator.
Students enrolled in IB (International Baccalaureate) and AP (Advanced Placement) programs will not be automatically enrolled in the NBE3U course due to the programs’ international and national structures.
Instead, Indigenous units of study will be embedded in grades 9 to 12 English classes for students in IB and AP programs, facilitated by the coordinators of these programs working in collaboration with the YCDSB Indigenous Lead who will help support curriculum development and access to appropriate resources for the specialized programs.
York Catholic is rolling out a comprehensive implementation plan for the English course transition that will allow numerous and varied professional development opportunities, presentations and intercultural training for teachers and staff. In addition to texts, teachers have access to a wealth of lesson plans and resources that support delivery of the Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Voices curriculum.
The York Catholic District School Board denounces all forms of racism and is committed to creating and maintaining an equitable learning environment reflected through inclusive programs, curriculum, and practices with a mission to ensure every child has an equitable chance for success.
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