Indigenous Education
On May 5 the London District Catholic School Board acknowledges the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirited people in Canada.
It is also known as Red Dress Day: "More than 1,000 murders of Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirited people were recorded by police between 1980 and 2012. It is estimated that 4,000 Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirited people have gone missing during that same period.
The Final Report from the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, released in 2019, concluded that the staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls amounts to race-based genocide. The REDress project was created by Indigenous artist Jamie Black in 2010." - from University of Waterloo
For more information, consider visiting the Kairos website and the website of Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle.
How Do I Self-Identify a Student as Indigenous?
Land Acknowledgement for the LDCSB
We begin today by acknowledging the traditional territory upon which we gather. For hundreds of years before we stand here today, the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Attawandaron, Huron-Wendat and Lenape Indigenous peoples have sought to walk gently on this land. They offered assistance to the first European travelers to this territory and shared their knowledge for survival in what was at times a harsh climate. Today, we acknowledge our three local communities of Munsee-Delaware, Chippewas of the Thames and Oneida First Nations. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties, including Treaty 6, the London Township Treaty. The London District Catholic School Board seeks a new relationship with the Indigenous People of this land, a relationship with our neighbours based on honour and deep respect.
For other land acknowledgement options, click here.
We move forward with joy and without fear
"Achieving reconciliation is like climbing a mountain — we must proceed a step at a time. It will not always be easy. There will be storms, there will be obstacles, but we cannot allow ourselves to be daunted by the task because our goal is just and and it also necessary." Chief Justice Murray Sinclair, head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as cited from MacLean's Magazine.
If you have any questions, please contact the London District Catholic School Board's Indigenous Lead, Tammy Denomme, at [email protected] or 519-663-2088 x42200.
Our Mandates
We are committed to the well being and success of Indigenous students within the London District Catholic School Board. We stand behind the Government of Ontario's commitment to Indigenous students in the province: "The Ministry of Education is committed to improving Indigenous education in Ontario, improving student achievement and well-being, and closing the achievement gap between Indigenous students and all students."
Students can self-identify as First Nations, Metis, or Inuit when they complete a "Student Registration Form" upon entry into the London District Catholic School Board or upon moving schools. If a student wishes to self-identify after they have already registered, their parent should simply contact the school at any time to change their registration status to First Nations, Metis, or Inuit. One-page documents explaining self-identification are available in all of the schools and they are linked above.
Mandate 2
We are committed to implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 62 and 63. To cite the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in their Letter to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada: "For our part, through the participation of Catholic Bishops and faithful in the TRC process and from our ongoing relations with Indigenous Peoples, we have heard your invitation to engage honestly and courageously with the past, to acknowledge the failings of members of the Catholic Church, and to take active steps of solidarity with Indigenous Peoples towards a better future. To this, with the strong encouragement of Pope Francis, we pledge our commitment."
Mandate 3
Indigenous Education Advisor for the LDCSB, Ray John Jr, and Indigenous Lead Tammy Denomme are committed to bringing as many Indigenous voices and as much Indigenous wisdom into the classroom as possible can. You will find Ray and Tammy and other Indigenous knowledge keepers in classrooms all over the Board most days of the week during the school year.
Indigenous Education is committed to implementing the revised curriculum for Social Studies Grades 4, 5, and 6 and History Grades 7 and 8 and History Grade 10. Follow this link to see these curriculum documents. Through this new curriculum, the London District Catholic School Board aims to develop pride and awareness of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit history and cultures for all students in our system and increase everyone's understanding of the story of Indigenous people in Canada. In the summer of 2021, the K-3 curriculum was also revised and we look forward to helping teachers implement that new curriculum once it is published.
"Education is one of the keys to reconciliation, said [Chief Justice Murray] Sinclair, who likes the changes he has seen so far at elementary and high schools." -Carleton University Newsroom
Orange Shirt Day
Treaties Recognition Week
- Chippewas of the Thames First Nation
- Oneida Nation of the Thames
- Munsee Delaware Nation.