2. How the federal government is now trying to right the educational disparities that have existed for more than a century. Better late than never?

In my search for blog post inspirations, I stumbled upon a report from the Government of Canada entitled "Education for Reconciliation". In it, the government reports on its progress with each of the 4 Calls to Action related to Education.  As you will see, much work has begun, and much work remains. 

Call to Action #62

What it states: Call to federal, provincial and territorial governments to ensure that aboriginal studies are included in all grades from Kindergarten to Grade 12; Provide funding for post-secondary teachers and teachers in Aboriginal schools about how to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into classrooms; create a new position, at the federal government level, dedicated to Aboriginal content in education.

The federal government's response thus far: In its report, the federal government outlines that it has (Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 2022): 

• invested money (budget 2021 proposed $726 million over 5 years)

• transformed funding for schools on reserve 

• built new relationships between First Nations and provincial governments as well as the Council of Ministers of Education

The most shocking parts of this report, for me, were that it was only in April of 2019 that the government began offering funds to First Nations schools that were comparable to funding in provincial education systems. To see it written down, in a government report, that they are funding them EQUALLY is so impactful, in my opinion. 

In the same vein, the government writes that in the 2021 Budget, they are committing to ensuring that funding for First Nations schools remains predictable from year to year. To think that Indigenous schools across the nation couldn't count on regular, consistent funding is so far overdue that it's a national embarrassment. 

Call to action #63

What it states: Call to the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada to develop and implement learning resources on Aboriginal peoples and residential schools while sharing best practices related to this, identifying teacher training needs relating to this and building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.

The federal government's response thus far: Here, the government report links to the Council of Ministers of Education website and states that they are the organization responsible for the response. Their webpage on Indigenous Education is quite comprehensive and seems to list content for each of the recommendations listed in the Call to Action, which you can see for yourself if you click on this link:

www.cmec.ca/53/Overview.html 

I plan to come back to these to delve into them for a future blog post.

Call to action #64

What it states: Call to all levels of government that provide public funds to religious schools to present content on various religions, which must include Aboriginal spiritual beliefs (to be developed in collaboration with Aboriginal Elders).

The federal government's response thus far: Not much in a way of actions listed here, all the report says is that as education falls under provincial jurisdiction, the provincial and territorial governments are responsible for the response to Call to Action 64. In my next post, I plan on looking at PEI's response to this, as this is my province, so makes decisions impacting my classroom decisions.

Call to action #65

What is states: Call to the federal government to establish a multi-year, national research program that would advance understanding of reconciliation. 

The federal government's response thus far: Budget 2018 pledged $3.8 million by developing a strategic plan, setting new directions to support Indigenous research and research training in Canada from 2019 to 2022

Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. (n.d.). Council of Ministers of Education, canada > programs & initiatives > indigenous education > overview. CMEC. Retrieved July 10, 2022, from https://www.cmec.ca/53/Indigenous_Education.html

Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. (2022, April 27). Education for reconciliation. Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Retrieved July 9, 2022, from https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524504501233/1557513602139