CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA TO RESCIND THEIR PROPOSED K-6 EDUCATION CURRICULUM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2021, Fort McMurray, AB – The Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) is gravely concerned by the Eurocentric-American rhetoric in the K-6 education curriculum released on March 29, 2021. It has failed to meaningfully incorporate Indigenous perspectives, including the complete erasure of Treaties and Truth & Reconciliation references in the K-2 curriculum. Instead, it actively promotes oppression and intolerance, perpetuating systemic racism.
“This curriculum review process failed to incorporate Indigenous, as well as many other diverse perspectives,” said Chief Allan Adam of President of Athabasca Tribal Council and Chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. “This curriculum is blatantly meant to sustain and bolster systemic racism in the next generation. The manner that the curriculum was developed and presented is disrespectful to all Albertans. This curriculum does not fulfill the commitments to truth and reconciliation and must be rescinded.”
In a letter to Alberta’s Premier and Minister of Education, ATC called for the following actions to be taken immediately:
Reinstate the Curriculum Writing Groups and Teacher and Educator Focus Groups and ensure they reflect the diversity of the province they serve, including appropriate representation from Indigenous peoples, racialized peoples, women, Francophone and LGBTQ2S+ communities.
Work in partnership with teachers, parents, the Government of Canada, Treaty 6, 7 & 8 Educators Alliance, and other Indigenous organizations to ensure the curriculum review processes are transparent and reflective of the contemporary classroom realities.
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ABOUT ATHABASCA TRIBAL COUNCIL
Athabasca Tribal Council is an organization that serves our First Nations by providing relevant and innovative programs and services that enrich the well-being, health and prosperity of its people. ATC is committed to ensuring the protection of inherent rights, Treaty Rights, and their Traditional Territories while respecting the autonomy of each Nation. For information, visit atcfn.ca.
FOR MORE INFO PLEASE CONTACT
Karla Buffalo
Chief Executive Officer, Athabasca Tribal Council
karla.buffalo@atcfn.ca
Main Office Phone: (780) 791-6538