Anishinabek Nation Open to Meeting with Ministry of Education Following Recent Decision to Remove Indigenous Science Framework from Ontario Curriculum
The Anishinabek Nation, along with Anishinabek educators, have expressed their concerns and expressed their willingness to meet with the Ministry of Education following the recent decision to remove the Indigenous science framework from the Ontario curriculum.
“The connection to the land is central to Anishinabek knowledge systems,” Grand Council of the Anishinabek Nation Chief Reg Niganobe said in a news release this week. “Our ancestors are the first engineers of this place. Long before Canada smoothed the land for railroads and roads, the Anishinabek traveled great distances using the original highways of this land – the waterways. They did this by using an environmentally friendly means of transport through coexistence in the ecosystem.
The Education Framework Agreement between Participating Self-Governing First Nations of the Anishinabek Education System, the Kinoomaadziwin Education Organization and the Government of Ontario, signed in 2017, outlines a new way forward for education. ‘education. This agreement specifies that the parties involved will support collaboration in the curriculum development and revision processes.
“The Anishinabek education system prioritizes Anishinabek culture, language, history and knowledge in education,” said KEB President Phyllis Anderson. “The education system has made great strides in strengthening relationships with ministry and school board partners. This decision creates barriers to the development and inclusion of a reciprocal curriculum based on reconciliation.
For more information, see the press release as follows:
The Anishinabek Nation and the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body (KEB) are disappointed to learn of the Ministry of Education’s decision to remove the Indigenous science framework from the Ontario curriculum. In collaboration with Anishinabek educators, the Anishinabek Nation is willing to host a meeting with the Ministry of Education to advocate for the inclusion of these expectations for all students in Ontario.
“The connection to the land is central to Anishinabek knowledge systems,” says Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe. “Our ancestors are the first engineers of this place. Long before Canada smoothed the land for railroads and roads, the Anishinabek traveled great distances using the original highways of this land – the waterways. They did this by using an environmentally friendly means of transport through coexistence in the ecosystem.
Ontario universities, colleges and schools have developed Indigenous research and resources in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) – and this stage of ministry is not supported by the evolution of the field.
“Anishinabek education advocates have long fought for recognition of our learning systems,” said James Marsden, deputy chief of the Grand Regional Council of the Southeast Anishinabek Nation, education portfolio holder of the Anishinabek Nation. “Removing this framework from the Ontario curriculum is regressive and dishonors our partnership.
The Education Framework Agreement between Participating Self-Governing First Nations of the Anishinabek Education System, the Kinoomaadziwin Education Organization and the Government of Ontario, signed in 2017, outlines a new way forward for education. ‘education. This agreement specifies that the parties involved will support collaboration in the curriculum development and revision processes.
“The Anishinabek education system prioritizes Anishinabek culture, language, history and knowledge in education,” said KEB President Phyllis Anderson. “The education system has made great strides in strengthening relationships with ministry and school board partners. This decision creates barriers to the development and inclusion of a reciprocal curriculum based on reconciliation.
Article 15.1 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples also states: Indigenous peoples have the right to dignity and to the diversity of their cultures, traditions, histories and aspirations which shall be duly reflected in education and public information.
Anishinabek science, technology, engineering and mathematics have existed on this land since time immemorial. It is imperative that Ontario and Indigenous partners work together in a spirit of reconciliation to create Indigenous STEM resources for a shared future.
“The fields of medicine and biology have been enriched through the use of the teachings and spirit of Indigenous traditional knowledge holders. From early interactions with settlers and the sharing of agricultural practices to biomedical research using compounds that have been used for millennia, Anishinabek scientific knowledge is integral to creating a shared knowledge base,” says M’ Chigeeng Ogimaakwe Linda Debassige. “Removing the Indigenous Science Framework from the Ontario curriculum is both irresponsible and disrespectful not only to our ancestors and the deep history of our First Nations peoples, but to all of Ontario by going to the Against the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. of Canada calling for the inclusion of Indigenous contributions in the school curriculum. We cannot erase the truth.