Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is dedicated to providing relevant curricula and improving educational outcomes for all students of the Northwest Territories.
At the Truth and Reconciliation Commission meeting in Inuvik last year, Nunavut Minister of Education, the Honourable Eva Aariak, and I committed to developing a comprehensive curriculum on the history and legacy of residential schools. We developed it in partnership with the Legacy of Hope Foundation, through much research, interviews with residential school survivors, archived materials and collaboration. This past spring we piloted this program in eight schools in the NWT and Nunavut.
Earlier this month we launched the new curriculum to nearly 70 teachers from the NWT and Nunavut as part of a three-day in-service. This included a keynote address from Commissioner Marie Wilson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, sessions with residential school survivors, discussions on the role of the teacher, and the supports in place with the Healing Drum Society and Health Canada.
The new residential schools unit comes with a full collection of teaching resources that helps 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.
I want to thank all of the people involved in developing the materials for this course. They were on display earlier today. I hope you all had a chance to see them. The curriculum coordinators developed these materials with an eye to sensitivity and care for this very complex issue. We were gratified and astounded at the wide coverage the launch of this important curriculum generated. Mr. Speaker, there is obviously not just a northern desire to set us on a path of reconciliation and healing, there is a national one.
Mr. Speaker, as students, teachers, families and communities explore the residential schools curriculum, this will herald a new beginning in understanding, collaboration and healing. The principles behind this curriculum support this government’s Aboriginal Engagement Strategy, and will give students throughout the NWT and Nunavut a better understanding of our collective history.
In that spirit of new beginnings, we are also celebrating the opening of the new school in Inuvik. On October 10th, East Three School was officially declared open. This is an unprecedented building project in the GNWT’s history.
It provides a superior learning environment for the nearly 700 primary and secondary students. The learning experience is infused with regional culture. This is a facility where students and the community can feel comfortable and at ease. The school was built to stimulate both younger and older students, and each wing has a distinct personality, meeting in the centre with a gymnasium and shared library. To enrich the students’ experiences, there are Smart Boards in every classroom, a wireless network throughout, and multiple computer labs, giving students access to the best learning tools. With student-centred and differentiated instruction practices in place, we look forward to improved outcomes and achievements. I’m proud to say that the school was completed and under budget.
We sincerely acknowledge the work of many people in this project:
the Inuvik Capital Planning Committee, comprising town representatives, the Beaufort-Delta District Education Council, the Inuvik District Education Authority, the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation;
the Public Advisory Selection Committee to Name the New School;
our colleagues at Public Works and Services;
the architects, Pin/Taylor Architects; and the contractors, Dowland Contracting Ltd.; and
the staff and students of the school, who have been active participants in ensuring this school meets the needs of the entire community.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
