Grade 10

NAN First Nation Vision - ...through access to a wholistic education, which integrates traditional and contemporary knowledge, values and teachings, members will be empowered to contribute to the sustainability of our culture, language, traditions and well-being of their family, community and the broader society. Highlighting successes in Aboriginal education shows the determination of educators and as well as the resiliency of Aboriginal culture to survive through the centuries. Many issues and concerns still exist regarding Aboriginal education. Students will have the opportunity to learn about and celebrate some of the success as well as contribute ideas for the future of Aboriginal education.

Residential schools or boarding schools as referred to in different countries, not only happened in Canada, they also happened in other countries affecting many Indigenous Groups around the world. Similar atrocities were placed upon Australia's Aborigines. Most shocking were the blatant attempts to "breed out" Aborigines altogether. Through comparison and contrasting charts and paragraphs, students will learn about Australia's forced removal of "fairer skinned" Aborigines and compare Australia's dark history to that of Canada's.

One part of the legacy of residential schools is they have impacted generation after generation of Aboriginal peoples in this country. The role and impacts of residential schools on Aboriginal traditional knowledge and mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being are linked to colonization and cultural genocide. The goal of residential schools was institutionalized assimilation by stripping Aboriginal peoples of their language, culture and connection with family. Although assaults on the first peoples of this land have been devastating and intergenerational, it is the pride that we celebrate the resilience and tenacity of the holisitc well-being of Aboriginal peoples. We are still here. (modified, by Cheryle Partridge)

'In the 1870's, the government of Canada partnered with Anglican, Catholic, United and Presbyterian churches to establish and operate boarding and residential schools for Aboriginal (First Nations, Inuit and Metis) children...The intent of the residential school system was to educate, assimilate and integrate Aboriginal children into Canadian society'. As early as 1986, the churces directly involved with the administration of the residential schools have apologized to the Aboriginal people of Canada. These churces have also been a part of the reconciliation and healing process. In this lesson, students will have the opportunity to explore the apologies given by three church groups and write reflective paragraphs. Students will also explore the healing initiatives and discuss the lack of apology from the Catholic church.

Since before Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Apology in June 2008, the process of healing has begun for former residential schol Survivors. Events, walks, conferences, curriculum and exhibits have been inspired by the courage and strength of Survivors and to honour those who are no longer with us. Most significantly are the memorials, which have been created and erected. During this lesson students will have the opportunity to explre and teach their classmates about the different ways residential school Survivors have been and still are being honoured in Canada. By designing their own memorial/monument, students too will honour those who have been so greatly impacted by the residential school experience.