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First Nations teams in Quebec say the brand new obligatory Quebec Citizenship and Tradition program for elementary and highschool college students is a step backward, rooted in “nationalist ideology,” that was ready with out important session with First Nations.
Training Minister Jean-François Roberge introduced Sunday {that a} new curriculum would change the province’s present Ethics and Non secular Tradition program, referred to as ERC.
The brand new course is supposed to focus extra on Quebec tradition, one thing premier François Legault mentioned in his latest inaugural speech would assist promote “nationwide cohesion.”
Denis Gros-Louis, director basic of the First Nations Training Council of Quebec, advised CBC Wednesday that even the identify of the brand new course is problematic.
“Our biggest shock was using ‘Québécois’ as an adjective, portray all people with the identical brush,” Gros-Louis mentioned.
“And that it will be central to citizenship — we’re not residents!” he continued.
“There’s not a single citizenship in Quebec. There are a number of cultures. There are a number of languages,” Gros-Louis added.
“It is type of of like telling First Nations that it’s important to be a great Québécois first, however we’ll discuss you in our course. Uhhh — no,” Gros-Louis mentioned.
New course ‘by no means mentioned’
Within the assertion asserting the brand new program, Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière was quoted as saying that the brand new curriculum was developed in session with representatives from First Nations and Inuit communities.
In an e mail to CBC Wednesday, Lafrenière’s spokesperson Mathieu Durocher mentioned the First Nations Training Council was one of many teams consulted.
Gros-Louis mentioned that is not true.
“No. It was by no means, by no means mentioned in any method, form or kind,” Gros-Louis mentioned.
He mentioned the council is a part of a gaggle that is been working with the ministry since January to make modifications to the prevailing ERC curriculum.
However Gros-Louis mentioned the concept of renaming the course and specializing in “Quebec citizenship” was by no means mentioned.
He mentioned the primary he heard of the brand new course was in Legault’s inaugural speech final week.
Gros-Louis mentioned after that, he requested a gathering with Training Ministry officers, who supplied solely obscure descriptions of what the brand new course could be.
Announcement ‘politicized’
Then got here Sunday’s announcement by the minister.
The press convention included a video that includes a number of CAQ cupboard ministers vaunting the brand new course. Additionally invited to the announcement had been three Quebec entertainers. There have been no individuals of color or Indigenous individuals current.
“The place had been First Nations? The place had been different cultural representatives? No person was there, no one,” Gros-Louis mentioned
“Once you make such an announcement, you inform forward of time those that took half in the session and you invite them. It could have been respectful,” he continued.
“The easy indisputable fact that it was solely offered by authorities representatives with a really effectively sorted-out communication technique sends a sign that they need to politicize that,” Gros-Louis added.
Denial of systemic racism brings distrust
The Meeting of First Nations Quebec-Labrador additionally mentioned it was very involved in regards to the new course, calling it a part of a “nationalist ideology” at present being championed by Legault.
Meeting Chief Ghislain Picard mentioned the Legault authorities’s constant denial that systemic racism exists in Quebec makes it tough for First Nations to trust within the new course.
“What sort of message to younger individuals could be anticipated by a provincial authorities that’s decided to disclaim the deep roots of discrimination and racism that make it a systemic scourge?” Picard mentioned in an announcement Monday
“Younger Quebecers will likely be satisfied that it is authentic and truthful to have constructed Quebec’s collective wealth on the backs of First Nations, and that the rights of the ‘Quebec nation’ by way of tradition, language and heritage are superior to these of different nations who share the territory,” Picard continued.
“There are different methods to construct nationwide satisfaction,” he concluded.
Identify after all is a deal breaker
Gros-Louis mentioned the First Nations Training Council continues to be keen to seek the advice of with the province on the brand new course, however provided that it will get a brand new identify.
“It must be ‘Cultures inside Quebec’ or one thing like that, however it may’t be citizenship with an adjective about Quebec. It cannot try this,” Gros-Louis mentioned.
“If the identify would not change and so they keep on with a political agenda, it should be a tricky journey,” he continued.
“That is what we anticipate from the Minister of Training — to construct inclusiveness, not assimilation,” he concluded.
Lafrenière was unavailable for an interview. His spokesperson mentioned the brand new course content material was nonetheless within the means of being developed.
“One of many goals of the course is to higher equip our younger individuals, in order that they’re extra conscious of the problems and realities of First Nations and Inuit,” Durocher mentioned.
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