Full disclosure: I grew up in the Catholic education system, and my family identifies as Catholic. I am also not currently aware of any official policy or guidelines from any board which answers this question.Perhaps this is why I struggle so much when I get asked, "What can I say about the Residential School system?" by teacher candidates who wish to work in the Catholic education system and teachers already employed there. I interpret these inquiries as indication of a strong discomfort, the lack of sustained response from the Church on the topic, and that not enough dialogue occurring in some boards. And I also have had that discomfort, and the fear some experience when faced with bringing these topics up in a religious context. 

This past December I had the opportunity to attend an implementation training day organized by the Ontario Ministry of Education to learn about the revised Social Studies, History & Canadian History curriculum. It was exciting to hear about the process through which the curriculum was re-written, as it sounded like a true collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous authors and educators. 

This week I noticed many of my student teachers were referring to Indigenous stories as myths, legends, or fables. One thing I have learned from the storytellers and scholars I work with is that these stories are not the same as myths and fables, and using those words diminishes the teachings contained within them.

Have a Heart Day is always the first campaign that comes to my mind when teachers ask me about actions they can take with their students. This campaign is designed to bring awareness to the under funding of education and child services for First Nations children in Canada, and to bring all students in Canada together to speak out against those injustices.