Call for more Mi'kmaq education in schools

Members of Nova Scotia's council on Mi'kmaq education say the province isn't doing enough to teach students about Mi'kmaq history, including the controversy surrounding residential schools.

The call for more education comes in the wake of areport that says the federal government conducted malnutrition experiments on aboriginal studentsat residential schools, including onein Shubenacadie,N.S.

"We're basically an invisible element of our community," said John Jerome Paul. Heoversees education in 14 Mi'kmaq schools in Nova Scotia.

He said it's time all Nova Scotia students learned more about First Nations history.

Under the province's education act, school boards must provide information about Mi'kmaq history, language, culture and traditions.

Paul said for decades, the council on Mi'kmaq education has been pushing the provincial government to do more.

"Every time a letter would come back saying, 'Oh we would, but we don't have enough First Nations students in our school to warrantthat.'"

He said that perception needs to change.Mi'kmaq history needs to be part of the curriculum for all students in all grade levels, he said.

"It has to be taught. People have to know where our communities are coming from. You can't run away from your history," he said.

Paul said having residential school survivors share their experiences in Nova Scotia classrooms could help ensure students don't forget what they went through.

Ignorance leads to prejudice

Another aboriginal education advocate agreed the provincial government has been too slow in introducing curriculum that teaches students about Mi'kmaq history and residential schools.

• Mi'kmaq legends featured in a recent episode of Ideas.

Spencer Wilmot is director of education with the Native Council of Nova Scotia.

He said having one Mi'kmaq studies course offered in high school doesn't go far enough.

"A lot of times that prejudice is because they don't understand. If a student understands what's going on, that relieves some of the pressures or some of the discrimination feelings," he said.

"If they see it in the curriculum, that's a positive step."

Wilmot said he'd like to see all school boards teach students about treaty rights and Mi'kmaq history from kindergarten to Grade 12.

The department of education said it is planning to introduce resources that help educators lead units on residential schools.

Mi'kmaq history dates back at least 10,000 years in the area now called the Maritimes, as well as Newfoundland and Maine.