Grade 11
Grade 12
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Indigenous Studies provides students in Ontario schools with a broad range of knowledge related to Indigenous Peoples to help them better understand Indigenous issues of public interest dis- cussed at the local, regional, and national levels. Students will develop the skills necessary to discuss issues and participate in public affairs. Through their involvement in Indigenous Studies, they will increase their awareness and understanding of the history, cultures, world views, and contributions of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The program will also provide students with opportunities to enhance the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills that they will require in postsecondary education, the world of work, and their roles as active citizens.
By its very nature, Indigenous Studies is integrative. For example, when students examine the terms of a treaty negotiated by an Indigenous nation with the Crown, they are combining both Indigenous studies and history. When they use the works of Indigenous writers to study the theme of renewal, they are combining Indigenous studies and English. Similarly, when they use multimedia resources to create art forms about contemporary Indigenous issues, they are combining Indigenous Studies with art. Subject matter from any course in Indigenous Studies can be combined with subject matter from one or more courses in other disciplines to create an interdisciplinary course. The policies and procedures regarding the development of interdisciplinary courses are outlined in the interdisciplinary studies curriculum policy document. The diversity of cultural, linguistic, racial, and religious groups is a valuable characteristic of Canadian society, and schools can help prepare all students to live harmoniously in a multi-cultural society in the interdependent world of the twenty-first century. Canada is the land of origin for Indigenous peoples, and the history of Canada begins with them. As the first people of Canada, Indigenous peoples are unique in Canada’s mosaic. Thus, exploration of the development and contributions of Indigenous societies is central to an understanding of the social fabric of this country. Ontario Ministry of Education |