Residential schools, reconciliation on curriculum for B.C. teachers

Teachers from around British Columbiaare gathering in Vancouver to review newcurriculum material about residential schools and reconciliation.

Up until now B.C. students didn'ttypicallylearn about residential schools until Grade 11 social studies. But this fall, new curriculum material will beavailable for Grades 5, 10, 11 and 12.

KenHeales,a teacher in Hundred Mile House, is in Vancouver for the conference. He piloted some of the material last year.

"It was quite surprising to me how many of my students really didn't know about it," he said.

"They were shocked to find out this had happenedthey wanted to learn more."

LouiseLacerte,a residential school survivor who hasworked in education for 30 years, is also attendingthe conference.

Sheisglad to have educational material to help her speak about herexperiences with her students and her grandchildren.

"There was an era wherewe weren't allowed to share the information or the experiences that we encountered withinthose schools," said Lecerte.

"So now I thinkit's turned around where our children's children canstart understanding why we are the way we are."

The material for the conferencewas developed by theFirst Nations Education Steering Committee and theFirst Nations Schools Association.

According to FNESCwebsite, the materials are their "response to the call by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada for education bodies to develop age-appropriate educational materials about Indian Residential Schools."

It's availableonline and free to download.