History of Education

The Constitution Act, 1867

(THE BRITISH NORTH AMERICA ACT, 1867)

WHEREAS the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have expressed their Desire to be federally united into One Dominion under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with a Constitution similar in Principle to that of the United Kingdom:
And whereas such a Union would conduce to the Welfare of the Provinces and promote the Interests of the British Empire:
And whereas on the Establishment of the Union by the Authority of Parliament it is expedient, not only that the Constitution of the Legislative Authority in the Dominion be provided for, but also that the Nature of the Executive Government therein be declared:
And whereas it is expedient that Provision be made for the eventual Admission into the Union of other Parts of British North America:
This Act may be cited as the Constitution Act, 1867

But what does this all mean for Education? How does all this British North American Mumbo Jumbo relate to the history of education? I'll tell you how.

The BNA Act was the legal instrument that established the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments of the provinces. Education was established as a provincial responsibility. Therefore, the regional systems that had been developed would be preserved. The BNA Act of 1867 however, granted responsibility for the education of First Nations children to the federal government. Since the federal government was not really interested they downloaded the responsibility to the churches. In response, the churches established residential schools that have left long-lasting, dramatic, and negative effects on First Nation children's education today.

The goal of the early attempts of religious based education by Catholics and then Protestants, was to assimilate First Nations people into a European based society. The settlers considered their culture, values and education systems to be superior to those of the First Nations. Therefore what the First Nation people taught their children, what they needed to live in their society: unity of life, honourable conduct, family responsibility, individual responsibility, the importance of sharing, self-reliance, and survival skills, and how these lessons were passed on through stories, myths and legends, was deemed as inappropriate, incorrect, and had to be stopped.

Today, many years later, we are now trying to undo those actions. We want to bring First Nation values and beliefs back into the classroom; integrate their culture into the curriculum to improve their learning and the learning of ALL students AND teachers alike.

We got into a discussion in Professional Teacher today, which made a lot of people uncomfortable on both sides of the table. I myself don't have an issue with First Nation students, learning about their values and beliefs, their similarities and differences, and integrating their culture into my future classroom. In my education from Kindergarten to Grade 12 the population of First Nation students in my classroom increased from 10% to 50%. I did not see them as any different from myself or any of the other caucasian students. They had a longer bus ride than any of the other kids I knew, but they were there to learn just like I was, they had families and homes of their own and they were roughly my same age. They packed their lunches, they liked to play outside at recess and some played on the sports teams, in the school band or were in drama, just like me.

I think that is why when it comes to my personal teaching career and my thoughts about integrating First Nation education into my classroom I see it as a challenge I am willing to accept. I've seen some teachers that treat First Nation students like they are different, like they are a problem, that they don't want to learn. I myself will do my very best to treat all children equally, present them with opportunities to help them grow as individuals and make certain that my whole class no matter what skin color, religion, age, or gender, all learn to expand their minds, to open their hearts, and to share their lives with one another.

Teachers teach Children. Period.