HomeMy WebLinkAboutWhy is Doug Ford silent on Indigenous – especially education – issues? OPINION - Globe & Mail - 07/17/2018 - Globe & Mail - 07/17/20187/18/2018 Why is Doug Ford silent on Indigenous — especially education — issues? - The Globe and Mail
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David Newhouse is director of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies at
Trent University.
The new Ontario Minister of Education has cancelled sessions dedicated to the
updating the Ontario public school curriculum on Indigenous peoples. While the
ministry has said that it will continue the project in the most cost-efficient way, we
don't yet know what this means. The cancellation has raised considerable concern
among Indigenous leaders and educators in the province. It signals a step in the
wrong direction and makes Ontario out of step with other provinces in Canada.
For Indigenous people, the education system has to achieve two goals: support the
development of positive Indigenous cultures and identities so that Indigenous
peoples can live well as Indigenous peoples; and help develop the knowledge and
skills necessary to participate effectively in the 21st century economy and labour
force. The system should also ensure that non -Indigenous people acquire the
knowledge and skills that enable them to live and work alongside Indigenous
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7/18/2018 Why is Doug Ford silent on Indigenous — especially education — issues? - The Globe and Mail
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Commission's calls to action. In May, 2016, the Ontario government apologized to
Indigenous peoples for their mistreatment over the last century. The former premier,
Kathleen Wynne, in the government's action plan, pledged Ontario would ensure
the school system would teach a new generation of students the truth about our
shared history as well as the cultures, histories and contributions of Indigenous
people. The apology and plan were supported by the leaders of all Ontario parties.
Overcoming a legacy of mistrust requires a willingness to work together on joint
projects.
Across Canada, governments and Indigenous peoples are working together and
making significant efforts to overcome the legacy of the past.
However, the Progressive Conservative election platform was silent on Indigenous
issues. The new Premier has not uttered the word "Indigenous" since his election.
The Premier needs to be reminded of the last half century of advances in Indigenous
rights, including the constitutional status accorded to Indigenous peoples. He also
needs to be reminded of the Political Accord signed in 2015 between the government
of Ontario and Indigenous leaders. This accord recognized First Nations as "self-
governing Indigenous Nations and Peoples with their own governments, cultures,
languages, traditions, customs and territories." And it committed both sets of
governments to work together to improve the quality of life for Indigenous youth
and children.
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7/18/2018 Why is Doug Ford silent on Indigenous — especially education — issues? - The Globe and Mail
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The silence on reconciliation is also troubling. Indeed, reconciliation has been
removed from the title of the Minister of Indigenous Affairs and the Minister of
Indigenous Affairs has been merged with the Ministry of Energy, Northern
Development and Mines. It hearkens back to a view of Indigenous peoples as policy
objects to be acted upon rather than as people deserving of respect and dignity.
In the 21st century, Canada is on a path to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
This means doing things differently. The Ontario education system in the past has
not served Indigenous peoples well; nor has it helped non -Indigenous peoples to
learn how to live and work with Indigenous peoples. Improving it requires the type
of joint effort that the government has cancelled in the name of cost-effectiveness.
What the new government fails to recognize is that a century -and -a -half of doing
things for Indigenous peoples has always required that they be done twice: once by
the government doing it by themselves and once by the government doing it with
Indigenous peoples. That is not a cost-effective approach.
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7/18/2018 Why is Doug Ford silent on Indigenous — especially education — issues? - The Globe and Mail
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7/18/2018 Why is Doug Ford silent on Indigenous — especially education — issues? - The Globe and Mail
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