Ashley Fredette

Response 1

Chapter 1

This chapter has given me a good foundation on which to understand sociology in terms of education in Canada. Understanding this helps in further understanding somewhat local issues in the education system. I had absolutely no idea about the issues in Attawapiskat, and yet I found myself shocked that the federal government has taken this long to provide them with the proper funding and a safe, comfortable school. Our country is more than equipped and stands for equal rights - why has it taken this long? Where is the money going? Have we not learned from our past mistakes in Canada's treatment of First Nations people? I felt ashamed of our government as I read just how badly we let the conditions for these children stay. The "third-party management" that happened in 2011 (when the government intervened in the management of the funding given during the crisis) implies a mistrust in the Attawapiskat First Nation, which is also not okay.

It seems to me that our federal government is not very good at keeping its word. We should be adhering to the Indian Act, which has been in place ever since Canada became a country in 1867. It states right in there that the education (along with other affairs) of First Nations people are a federal obligation. Since First Nations schools do not have the support of the provincial governments, it is absolutely critical that the federal government gives them as much support as they need, so that children can feel that they have hope, and according to Shannen Koostachin, "feel like you can have the chance to grow up and be somebody important." Their socioeconomic status depends on it.

Discussion Question: At the end of the chapter, it is insinuated that the $90 million that Attawapiskat received over the years since 2006 from the federal government was questionably spent, which is why the third-party management was sent in. Obviously, there are two sides to every story. I wonder if this is part of the reason for the government's stalled action in building the school and providing even more funding?
Also: Why would the education system and the federal government allow children to be exposed to such contamination for so many years? This is so wrong.