Windsor-Essex students studying Indigenous literature

Students in Windsor public schools will soon be introduced to more Indigenous artists.

The Greater Essex County District School Board is making changes to the Grade 11 literature curriculum to foster a greater understanding of Indigenous culture.

Before, literature for grade 11 students would include novels like 1984 or Catcher in the Rye. Starting in the 2021-2022 school year, all of the literature studied will include stories written by Indigenous authors.

This change comes from implementing recommendations that the Truth and Reconciliation Council made in 2016. The TRC focuses on dealing with the impact of the residential school system and improving the wellness and livelihood of the Indigenous communities of Canada.

The change to curriculum literature is based on the TRC’s 62nd Call to Action which calls to the government to “make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada, a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students.”

Since the decision was made by GECDSB, more than half of the required reading materials have been changed to works by Indigenous authors.

“For years Indigenous stories have been told from a non-Indigenous perspective,” said Tina DeCastro, teacher consultant for GECDSB’s Indigenous Education Team. “If we’re going to be responsive to the calls to action we need to start creating a space for indigenous voices to be heard.”

While GECDSB does not specify which books the teachers have to use the school board staff do offer recommendations. Some of the recommended reading includes Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese and Cherie Dimaline’s The Marrow Thieves.

DeCastro said they are working also on highlighting local indigenous authors, one of which is Daniel Lockhart, a member of the Moravian of the Thames First Nation.