"It's like getting a new car without the manual": Exploring Teacher Perceptions of Capacity to Implement Ontario's Revised Curriculum on Indigenous Histories, Cultures, and Perspectives

Abstract

This study explored teacher infusion of Indigenous curriculum content through interviews with ten non-Indigenous teachers of social studies and history. The interviews centered on teacher perceptions of preparedness to implement Ontario's recent TRC curriculum revisions, which include more about the contributions, histories, cultures, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples. A brief analysis of Ontario's First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework is included, alongside critiques of the Eurocentrism at the heart of education systems. The interviews revealed that many of the teachers were committed to Indigenous education and learning more, but they felt unprepared and lacked resources to teach Indigenous curriculum content with confidence. This study highlighted the critical role of settler teachers in Indigenous education and the importance of teachers undertaking settler unsettling in order to be effective and appropriate in Indigenous curriculum delivery. Individual changes must occur alongside educational system decolonization with a particular focus on teacher preparation.

Author Keywords: cognitive imperialism, Indigenous Education, Ontario, settler educator, settler unsettling, TRC curriculum

    Item Description
    Type
    Contributors
    Creator (cre): Clancy, Erin
    Thesis advisor (ths): Niblett, Blair
    Degree committee member (dgc): Davis, Lynne
    Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
    Date Issued
    2019
    Date (Unspecified)
    2019
    Place Published
    Peterborough, ON
    Language
    Extent
    179 pages
    Rights
    Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
    Local Identifier
    TC-OPET-10725
    Publisher
    Trent University
    Degree