Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is committed to improving educational outcomes for all students of the Northwest Territories. We have developed new curricula that will be introduced in the fall.
As part of our efforts to develop culturally appropriate and engaging learning opportunities for our students, Northern Studies 10 includes a new focus on the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada. Optional implementation of the new course will begin with the 2012-13 school year and become mandatory in 2013-14.
Consultations are underway for the proposed development of Northern Studies 20 and 30 over the next two years. We plan to add a unit to the Northern Studies 20 course to explore the impacts of residential schools in a northern context. These are being developed in partnership with Nunavut Education.
The new residential schools unit comes with a full collection of teaching resources that help students and teachers explore the policies and historical context of colonialism that supported residential schools. Students will learn about the positive and negative impacts that residential school experiences had on many people; they’ll talk about the opportunities for reconciliation and healing that are needed today.
Mr. Speaker, many generous and courageous Northerners provided powerful testimonies and guidance in the development of the Grade 10 unit. We are convinced that these contributions will make a difference to our young people, their families and communities.
The support of the Legacy of Hope Foundation, Health Canada and especially the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been critical to the development of this teaching resource. These efforts toward understanding and healing are important, and I have been involved in this process since the beginning, attending all of the meetings and speaking on behalf of the people that attended residential schools in the Northwest Territories. I will be travelling to Saskatoon later in June for the next meeting.
Mr. Speaker, the North is a spectacular place, rich in resources, culture and heritage, and history, and it is vital that our children have the opportunity to explore, understand and build on the lessons history has taught us. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Abernethy.
