Michelle Boulet - Blog 1

Having taken a course dealing with Aboriginal Perspectives in the Curriculum, I am aware of the many difficulties that exist in the education of Aboriginal people. I have an understanding of the lack of student success, the challenges of teaching culturally relevant lessons, and the teaching and learning styles that some are trying to incorporate. However, I was not aware of the many aspects that exist beneath the surface that, if fixed, could increase the standard of education for Aboriginal people.

    The sharing of control over on-reserve schools is said to create “inherent tensions [that] can be seen as being ‘built in’ to the way First Nations are able to control the educational infrastructures in their communities” (10). If the running of schools is creating tension it cannot be a good learning environment for students. Having differing views trying to run one school is confusing for everyone involved and essentially ineffective. Not only are these schools being operated by two different groups, the lack of a structured curriculum also adds to the confusing atmosphere. Instead of having a set curriculum, on-reserve schools follow “guidelines [which] indicate that the education quality must be ‘comparable’ to that offered by the provincial jurisdiction” (11). If all students are learning different topics and there is no coherency between grades or schools students cannot be expected to succeed in a society where all others are following a specific guide. As a teacher, you expect that the students coming into your class have been taught to meet certain expectations the previous year. Without these restrictions, how can teachers prepare for and continue the education of these students. As I see in my own practicum class, it is important to incorporate Aboiriginal perspectives as well as the cultures of the many other students in the classroom, but all students should be taught foundations that will allow them to succeed later in life. In my own teaching, I will try to incorporate these cultural lessons into lessons that build on the skills that we need to teach our students.

    If these actions are taken to improve the schooling, perhaps the unemployment rates that currently sit at 90% will be lowered (12). The unemployment rates on this one reserve are staggering. It is important to improve the education and school environment standards in order to give Aboriginal people the best chance at success and a higher level of schooling.

Discussion Question: Should Aboriginal students be learning from the same curriculum as the rest of the province? How can we add Aboriginal perspectives to the curriculum in every classroom in order to provide the same education for all students?