Education curriculum in Ontario schools is evolving
September 20, 2005
MEDIA RELEASE
Anishinabek Grand Chief wants expansion of First Nation perspective in Ontario's new school curriculum
NIPISSING FN - The Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief says that, while it is encouraging to see more First Nation perspectives included in Ontario's new school curriculum, the province should go further and include a significant focus on treaties and treaty rights, the history of residential schools and mandatory Native language instruction for First Nation students.
The province announced that First Nations culture and history would be taught in all classrooms across Ontario with the introduction of an improved curriculum launched this week. Ontario teachers will be required to teach a more detailed Aboriginal perspective in every grade.
"Our history and culture has been excluded from Canada's education system for far too long," said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage. "We've always been simply a token unit in social studies and Canadian history classes. Even that limited curriculum was developed by non-native historians and lacked the perspectives of the First Nations people themselves."
The province has introduced a First Nations perspective as part of revamped social studies and revised history and geography program and in senior grades it will be part of a new Canadian and world studies course.
Many said the previous curriculum overlooked First Nation subjects. After mounting criticism, native educators were brought in to re-write new curriculum guidelines with the First Nation perspective in mind.
"We all remember the Bering Strait theory and how the curriculum classified us as hunter-gatherers, Paleo-Indians or Eastern Woodland people," said Beaucage. "This is not how we see ourselves. We want to see all children learning about us as the Anishinabek Nation, whose contributions to modern society are far-reaching and consequential."
Contemporary Native people like Inuit hockey star Jordin Tootoo are now included in the Grade 6 social studies curriculum. Study units on pioneer life with references to "Aboriginals" now mention specific Nations such as the Iroquois and the Ojibway.
"We want to see the province take this a step further," said Beaucage. "An expanded First Nations studies curriculum should include a significant focus on cultural awareness, treaties and treaty rights, the history of residential schools and mandatory Native language instruction for our own children in public schools.
"First Nations educators must continue to play a lead role in the development of curriculum and teaching these lessons in our schools. I would recommend that the government continue to revise and expand on these developments by ensuring adequate resources to this curriculum development initiative and include further involvement by Anishinabek, Mushkegowuk (Cree), Haudenasaunee (Iroquois), and Metis teachers."
The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.
For more information contact:
Jamie Monastyrski, Communications Officer
Union of Ontario Indians
705-497-9127 (2290), monjam@anishinabek.ca
If you care about the health of your community and you want to make a difference, you can!
Applicants should be:
The NOSM Aboriginal Reference Group meets quarterly, generally in Thunder Bay, Sudbury or by teleconference. This is a volunteer position. Travel is covered by NOSM in accordance with University financial policies.
Applicants must submit a covering letter and a current Curriculum Vitae/Resume along with a two page essay indicating why they are interested in the Youth Representative position, their skills and qualifications, and how the position will contribute to their own career goals. Please apply to:
Aboriginal Affairs Unit
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Fax: (807) 766-7363
Email: Orpah.McKenzie@normed.ca
Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Interviews will be held by telephone. For further information about the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, visit www.normed.ca
or contact Orpah McKenzie, Director of Aboriginal Affairs at (807) 766-7311.
The Aboriginal Reference Group of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is seeking an Aboriginal Youth Representative for a two-year term. The Group provides advice to the School’s initiatives and accommodation of the Aboriginal worldview. The Group serves as the primary resource for the School of Medicine to fulfill its mandate concerning inclusive Aboriginal education and health.
Introducing Lac Seul First Nation's web site. www.lacseul.firstnation.ca
FYI ... just received this invitation to subscribe to a bimonthly newsletter ... thought others might be interested in this one as well ...
The Canadian Cultural Observatory is a national information service that supports cultural development in Canada by: informing the cultural policy and research community; encouraging evidence-based policy and planning; and stimulating community debate and improved knowledge exchange.
Please accept this message as an invitation to subscribe to the Observatory's bimonthly newsletter in order to remain up to date on cultural policy research and developments.
To continue receiving our complimentary newsletter, simply subscribe by clicking on the link below:
SOURCE: Canadian Tourism Commission - Louise Leblanc |
Tourism has been one of the most remarkable economic phenomena of the last few decades. Is culture an important element of tourism? Are culture and tourism compatible? Is it worthwhile to develop strategies focused on building a productive alliance between these sectors? Finally, how is it possible to create links between culture, tourism and sustainability? Read on, as the Canadian Cultural Observatory brings answers to these questions In Focus.
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To all Fort Severn lady band members,
If you are interested in joining a ladies' broomball team for the 2005-2006 season.
Please contact,
Marie Carson, mariecarson@knet.ca
or
Valerie Kakekaspan, valeriekakekaspan@knet.ca
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute established by Nishnawbe Aski Nation offers post-secondary education and training programs. We offer choice, accessibility, flexibility, opportunities and support services for our students. The Institute is an independent institution and currently offers courses in business, social services, website development and early childhood education.
The Institute is inviting applications for a Finance and Administrative Officer. Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Finance and Administrative Officer will ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, develop and maintain finance and administration budgets, maintain an internal control structure that ensures the integrity of information and maintain other documentation related to the overall operations of Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute. The incumbent will also perform general bookkeeping and administrative services to assist the Executive Director and Program Coordinators, and to support the operation of the general office of the Institute.
Candidates for this position should:
Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest and a resume, with three references, to:
Executive Director |
Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute |
107 Johnson Avenue, 2nd Floor |
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 2V9 |
Fax: (807) 345-2924 |
For further information about this position, please contact:
Valerie Nabigon |
Administrative Assistant |
(807) 346-2780 or info@oshki.ca |
Closing date for applications is Monday, September 19, 2005 at 12:00 pm.
While we appreciate all applications for this position, only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
September 8, 2005 - MEDIA RELEASE
Robinson Treaty promises broken for 155 years
NIPISSING FIRST NATION -- It has been over a century and a half since First Nations signed the Robinson Treaties, but Anishinabek people continue to struggle for rights to land and resources promised in those treaties.
First Nations in two regions of Ontario are commemorating the 155th anniversary of the signing of two historic and important treaties this week. The Robinson-Superior Treaty was signed on September 7, 1850 while the Robinson-Huron Treaty was signed two days later on September 9, 1850.
"There are many important and outstanding issues related to the Treaties. Our right to hunt and fish has been restricted by constant government harassment and interference, and annuities have not increased to reflect the resource development on traditional lands," said Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage.
"Most importantly, the Government of Canada has not respected the government-to-government relationship established under the treaties, so our jurisdiction and the authority of First Nation government has been undermined," added Beaucage.
Interest in Indian lands along the north shores of Lake Superior and Lake Huron began in the 1840's as many mining companies began to send prospectors, surveyors and engineers into the region. As mining companies successfully obtained licences to extract resources, many First Nations people in the region began to complain to the Crown that their claims to the land were being ignored.
The Robinson Treaties marked the beginning of an emphasis on a "cash-for-land" treaty approach by the Crown, which was to have far-reaching effects on First Nations, who regarded money just as they had regarded the trade goods offered in previous treaties - as gifts in exchange for their agreement to share the use of their traditional territories with settler populations.
To assist in the settlement and commercial development of the region, Lord Elgin, Governor General of Canada, ensured that treaty commissioner - and former fur trader -- William Benjamin Robinson was given a budget of 7500 pounds Sterling (approx. $30,000 Cdn in 1850) to purchase as much land as possible. He was successful in obtaining title to approximately 50,000 square miles (32 million acres) of Indian territory for approximately 66 cents for every square mile, or 640 acres.
Chief Michael "Eagle" Dokis of Lake Nipissing said after attending the treaty negotiations, "When Mr. Robinson came to the Indians to make a Treaty for their lands, they were not willing to give up their lands and would not sign a Treaty. He then told them they need not be afraid to give up their rights because Government would never do anything to make them suffer, he said you know yourselves where you have the best lands and there is where you have your reserves for yourselves and your children and their children ever after."
Every Chief's consent to the terms of the treaties was indicated by his "mark" - usually a totem or clan symbol - on the official document. The First Nations leaders could neither read nor write English and relied totally on the honesty of the treaty commissioner about what they were agreeing to.
The Robinson-Superior Treaty was negotiated with the Chippewas of the Sault Ste. Marie area and gave the Crown, "the shoreline of Lake Superior, including islands from Batchewana Bay to the Pigeon River, inland as far as the height of land." The Treaty stipulated an upfront payment of $8,000 (all amounts Cdn) and an annual payment of $200 each year thereafter. This is an area of over 20,000 square miles, stretching approximately from present day Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in the east, past Thunder Bay, Ontario, in the west.
Two days after William Robinson had negotiated the Robinson-Superior Treaty, he negotiated with Chief Shinguacouse and the Lake Huron Chippewa Indians for the Lake Huron shoreline, "including the islands, from Matchedash Bay to Batchewana Bay and inland as far as the height of the land."
An agreement was made to surrender territory, except for the reserves, for $8000 and an annual payment of $240 for over 30,000 square miles.
In addition to the cash, each Robinson Treaty included a list of reserved lands, indicating size and location of each reserve assigned to each Chief. The Huron Treaty included 21 such reserves but Superior only listed three.
The Robinson Treaties also guaranteed to First Nations the "full and free privilege to hunt over the territory now ceded by them and to fish in the waters thereof as they have heretofore been in the habit of doing."
However, said Beaucage, "First Nations continue to be subject to harassment by provincial Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers in the field, and there are instances of First Nations people being prosecuted under provincial legislation despite these treaty rights."
"The government of Canada does not honour our treaties in the spirit they were entered into," said the Anishinabek Nation leader.
The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.
For more information contact:
Jamie Monastyrski, Communications Officer
Union of Ontario Indians
705-497-9127 (2290)
monjam@anishinabek.ca
While in Sioux Lookout today, the honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State for Public Health and the honourable Roger Valley, MP for Kenora riding, met with Keewaytinook Okimakanak Health Director Robert Thomas and K-Net's Network Manager Dan Pellerin. In attendance at the meeting was Gavin Brown, FNIHB Regional Director and Mike Lovett, Sioux Lookout Zone Director. Discussions focussed on KO's Telehealth Sustainability and Expansion proposal to Health Canada.
Identifying strategies to ensure the current First Nations Telehealth initiative continues after the Aboriginal Health Transition program is completed in March 2006 is now everyone's priority.