School boards across SW Ontario add courses with Indigenous focus

To study Shakespeare or not to study Shakespeare that is no longer the question for grade 11 students in LambtonCounty.

Beginning inSeptember, Grade 11 students in the Lambton Kent District School Board, including schools in Chatham-Kent and Sarnia, will take a mandatory English course focusing on Indigenous writers and playwrights, instead of the regular English course with literature from North American authors and Shakespeare.

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The new course comes after three years of planning and developing, said Mark Sherman, Superintendent of education of the LambtonKent District School Board.

Sherman stressedthe students will still be responsible for doing the same thing as a regular grade 11 English class.

"The students will still read, write, build perspective, frame arguments, do presentations, and so on. But now, the topic has an Indigenous focus or author."

Sherman added theresponse has been very positive, and the course has been the start of a conversation around Indigenous issues.

Windsor moves in similar direction

The Greater Essex County District School Board is not making an Indigenous English course mandatory, but will offer a similar course as an elective.

Students in Windsor-Essex will have the option in September to take the Indigenous literature course,instead of the regular English course that is mandatory, saidClaraHowitt, superintendent for the board.

"It's part of a commitment to our board's response to the Truth and Reconciliation report and the calls to action."

Howitt added the board wantsstudents to have the opportunityto engage in rich learning that showthe importance of Indigenous cultures.

Although the course is an option for students in Windsor-Essex, the board is looking into making the course mandatory in the future, like inLambtoncounty, Howitt said.