Matthew Sysa Blog 3

            The reading for this week was chapter 3 of the textbook. In this chapter they talked about the ever changing education system in Canada from the beginning of settlement in New France to Confederation to the late 20^th century. Also, in this chapter they talked about residential schools and the different forms of educational segregation that happened to minorities in Canada.

            After reading this chapter, I realized that in school I did not learn very much about the history of segregation that went on in Canada, whether it was of Blacks, Chinese, and Japanese. In history I learned about the African American slaves in the southern United States and how they used the Underground Railroad to reach freedom in Canada. However, that is where the story ends; we never learn about what actually happened once they reached Canada. Such as that “White Canadians reacted negatively to the settlement of Blacks in their community, often refusing them entry to public schools.” (p. 77). Or that the school act of 1850 that “permitted segregated schools for Blacks.” (p. 77), this information was left out of my high school history class. Also, in school I never learned anything about how for many years “Japanese and Chinese students faced segregation in British Colombia.” (p 86). I feel that as a future teacher, these aspects of Canadian history must not be left hidden away, but instead taught to children so that they can understand everything that has happened that has helped shape the country in that we live today.

Discussion Question: How does learning about all aspects of our countries history benefit the future?