Indigenous component added to B.C. graduation requirement

Students in B.C. will be required to complete Indigenous-related courses in order to graduate, starting as early as next year.

The new requirement for secondary students is expected to take effect in the 2023-24 school year, with the content for the courses still being developed.

Education minister Jennifer Whiteside said the province is committed to lasting and meaningful reconciliation in B.C. while working co-operatively with Indigenous Peoples to address the knowledge gaps in the K-12 curriculum.

“This new requirement will deepen students’ understanding of the experiences, cultures, histories and knowledges of Indigenous Peoples. This will help us to understand the truths of our shared history, while also building knowledge so all students feel a sense of responsibility for our collective future,” said Whiteside.

Under the proposed model, students who are currently in Grade 10 would be the first group to complete the new requirement, starting in September 2023. The requirement will apply to all students in B.C. public, independent and offshore schools. B.C. is the first Canadian province/jurisdiction to implement this type of requirement.

Tyrone McNeil, president of the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) said his group and First Nations have been calling for the important change for years.

“Building awareness and understanding of First Peoples’ perspectives, cultures and histories among all B.C. students will serve as an important step toward reconciliation and an effective strategy to combat racism within the province to the benefit of all British Columbians,” said McNeil.

On March 7, the Ministry of Education will launch an online public engagement to gain feedback on the proposed approach to implementing the new requirement, including what related information and resources students, parents and schools may need.

The ministry will also consult with Indigenous communities and K-12 partners throughout the spring. The proposed model would allow students to meet the new requirement through a variety of existing and new course options.

Stephanie Higginson, president, BC School Trustees Association said to support meaningful truth and reconciliation, it is critical that B.C. students graduate with an understanding of the ancient history of the lands their schools are situated upon.

“B.C.’s curriculum offers many Indigenous-focused courses with rich content and boards of education have created unique courses that give students the chance to strengthen ties to Indigenous communities. This change to the graduation requirement will help further deepen and expand this necessary work.”

Teri Mooring, president of the BC Teachers’ Federation, said the introduction of a First Peoples course requirement is an incredibly important milestone on our shared journey of truth and reconciliation, and something the BCTF has advocated strongly for over many years.

“It will be important that this policy change be supported by a focused effort to recruit more Indigenous teachers to ensure these truths can be taught from a place of lived experience wherever possible throughout B.C.’s public education system.”