In this blog we are again looking at First Nations eduction, but in this time we are looking at the trend for culturally sensitive content, by converting the content into a local dialect. Although the students speak English and this lesson could have been delivered in English, delivery in a local dialect also addresses cultural needs. There is the idea of addressing the preservation of culture through language skills, but there is also an inclusion with the specific content of the lesson.
Previously, cultural aspects of First Nations communities have been ignored, and in the case of Residential Schools was specifically targeted for exclusion. The psychological scaring of trying to eradicate local languages in the school system by only allowing English to be spoken and all subjects being taught in English made for a void in these cultural sensitive communities. Although just a start, it is a step into integration and reclaiming cultural identity. Not to mention that this is a luxury that most Canadians already exercise with Chinese lessons in Richmond to learning Farsi in North Vancouver.
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