Currently in schools across Canada students are mainly studying literature from American and British based cultures. So far, through out my 3 years of high school english courses, a majority of a course was spent reading and studying Shakespeare. These pieces of literature were written over 400 hundred years ago and take places in settings and cultures that todays students don't connect with.
While I do agree that many of Shakespeare's work had messages and situations that transcend, many of those messages are also covered by many indigenous authors. Unlike Shakespeare's work however, the writing of these are more relatable, and also would discuss more specific issues for Canadian's.
Indigenous people might not make up a significant part of the total Canadian population, 4.3% (statcan, 2011), but their culture is giant part of Canada's history. I believe it is important for students to learn about, and to be aware of the Aboriginals history and how they were treated. From having their land taken away from them and being subjected to cultural genocide in the form of residential school in the past, to the discrimination and stereotyping they have to deal with today. I believe educating students of these topics will help reduce the …show more content…
Joseph's Residential School in Cross Lake, Man., in 1951. (HO / CANADIAN PRESS)
An Ontario school board has replaced the Grade 11 course with an indigenous literacy course (National Post, 2017). I believe that this is a step in the write direction. It gives students a whole semester to learn about indigenous culture, but it still keeps a balance with other pieces of literature which educate students on the english language. This variety is important an will help keep students
While I do agree that many of Shakespeare's work had messages and situations that transcend, many of those messages are also covered by many indigenous authors. Unlike Shakespeare's work however, the writing of these are more relatable, and also would discuss more specific issues for Canadian's.
Indigenous people might not make up a significant part of the total Canadian population, 4.3% (statcan, 2011), but their culture is giant part of Canada's history. I believe it is important for students to learn about, and to be aware of the Aboriginals history and how they were treated. From having their land taken away from them and being subjected to cultural genocide in the form of residential school in the past, to the discrimination and stereotyping they have to deal with today. I believe educating students of these topics will help reduce the …show more content…
Joseph's Residential School in Cross Lake, Man., in 1951. (HO / CANADIAN PRESS)
An Ontario school board has replaced the Grade 11 course with an indigenous literacy course (National Post, 2017). I believe that this is a step in the write direction. It gives students a whole semester to learn about indigenous culture, but it still keeps a balance with other pieces of literature which educate students on the english language. This variety is important an will help keep students