Curriculum updates support Reconciliation journey

Limestone Learning Foundation
Curriculum updates support Reconciliation journey
Posted on 06/21/2018
Image of book covers with Indigenous themes or topics.The Limestone District School Board will offer "Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices" to Grade 11 students in most secondary schools in September 2018. This course is equivalent to the Grade 11 English course for all pathways and serves as a prerequisite for any of the Grade 12 English courses.

"We are excited to be offering a course that is inclusive of Indigenous voices and focuses on Indigenous literature, non-fiction and media. This course will also ensure that our students participate in the ongoing process of reconciliation," says Krishna Burra, Superintendent of Education.

In 2015 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its report and 94 Calls to Action. These Calls to Action are directed at most institutions and sectors in Canada, but education is a key component. As a response, the Ministry of Education in Ontario is making changes to the Ontario curriculum to focus greater attention on Indigenous peoples’ experiences and contributions to meet the needs of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

"In Limestone, we believe that shifting the focus of Grade 11 English classes to Indigenous texts, while continuing to focus on the skill development part of all English courses, will ensure that Limestone students have the opportunity to read widely and think deeply about Indigenous content and their own role in the reconciliation process before they graduate," adds Burra.

"Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices" will focus on the reading, writing and thinking skills of the English curriculum, so students will develop and hone the English skills that are required for Grade 12 English and all post-secondary pathways. During this course, students will have a chance to read, write and discuss the works of Canadian Indigenous writers, as well as to learn about contemporary Indigenous issues. In the past few years, this course has been offered in a few secondary schools.

In preparation for this change, LDSB English teachers have been exploring First Nations, Métis, and Inuit literature and media, learning from Indigenous knowledge keepers and experienced educators, and creating resources to support this course.

"Using Indigenous content and processes to teach literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills will make for an exciting course for our students in Grade 11. And such content will help Indigenous and non-Indigenous students understand the Indigenous cultures and histories of this land, and better prepare them to be active citizens in the future," says Burra.

For more information, please contact:
Karen Smith, Communications Officer
613-544-6925 x 314 | 613-328-0947 mobile
Jane Douglas, Communications officer
Communications Officer
613-544-6925 x 311 | 613-328-0916 mobile



The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.