Nation 2 Nation News

By

Angela Lavallee

Starting September 2018, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland District Catholic School Board(PVNDCSB) will implement Indigenous Language to the regular curriculum, starting with a small local school.

A parent who’s children just started St Paul Elementary in Lakefield was successful in requesting the board to bring in Ojibwa language and according to Sharon Lajoie, Indigenous liaison with PVNDCSB  it’s time Indigenous language be a part of the education. Towards the end of the school year in June 2018,  teachers sent home a survey to parents for expressed interest.

“If we have a minimum of 12 students interested in learning Ojibwa at St. Paul, then the next step is to look for a teacher.” says Lajoie. 

Anne Showalter says her children were learning Ojibwa for a number of years while attending Ridpath Public School and was disappointed when her kids new school didn’t have Indigenous language.  PVNCCDSB recently put out a call for a teacher and hopes to have the first day of school. Ridpath Public School closed in 2017. 

“My kids are disappointed. I’m disappointed,” said Showalter. “They love learning new words and the crafts and learning the history, it’s important have Indigenous language and history, especially in our area.”  Showalter is hopeful and is excited to see a call go out for an Indigenous teacher and says this is what reconciliation is all about. 

Showalter says Indigenous language should be offered to all students, but understands the enormous task at hand, but for now, Showalter hopes come September that the numbers be promising. 

“I felt compelled to inquire about such a vital part of our area’s history,” says Showalter.  “We are new to St.Paul and early on I noticed my girls were missing out on a vital part of our history and community.”

As far as the survey goes, Showalter says the board is only offering Ojibwa for grades 4-8. Showalter would like to see Ojibwa offered to all students regardless of the grade. “I have one in grade three and one who will be starting junior kindergarten. One is going to would miss out,” adds Showalter. 

As part of the Truth And Reconciliation (TRC) Indigenous language must come first in education across Canada, this according to Murray Sinclair, chair of the TRC. So far updates with the TRC for Indigenous languages offered in all schools is slowly being implemented.