Lambton-Kent Students to Study Native-Focused English Course.

Tashmoo Avenue, Amjiwnaung Res. Zach Neal photo.

From Barbara Simpson, Sarnia Observer.

In a school board district home to four First Nations communities, a Southwestern Ontario school board is taking the lead in ensuring the culture of its First Nations students and their families is reflected in the curriculum it teaches.

All Grade 11 Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) students will start taking a mandatory native-focused English course this fall, replacing English course offerings that have largely focused on Shakespeare and other traditional writers.

Students will instead have a chance to read, write and discuss the works of indigenous writers, as well as learn about indigenous issues.

“It's not just the right thing to do, but from an engagement point of view...if (indigenous students) see themselves reflected in the curriculum, we think it's good for student engagement,” said Mark Sherman, a superintendent of education with the Lambton Kent District School Board.

An estimated 1,700 students are expected to be in Grade 11 this fall at the public school board that serves both Sarnia-Lambton and Chatham-Kent, as well as four surrounding First Nation communities.

Those communities include Aamjiwnaang First Nation, just outside of Sarnia; the Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, west of Lambton Shores; Delaware Nation at Moraviantown, near Thamesville; and Walpole Island First Nation, near Wallaceburg.

Link to the rest here.

Thank you for reading.