Process of Education

Another one of the books that I read that I found fabulous for describing the process of education in both the past and present for First Nations peoples was by Schissel and Wotherspoon.

This book looks at the history of the residential schools and how they have done incredible damage to the process of education for First Nations peoples. "In Saskatchewan, the majority of prisoners are of Aboriginal ancestry and there is some evidence that modern day prisons house the irreparably damaged products of residential schools" (Schissel & Wotherspoon, 2003). It also acknowledges that in the 1960s and 70s the majority of the students who were placed in residential schools were there because they were deemed to be neglected or have inadequate families (Schissel & Wotherspoon, 2003).

This book also examines the present day barriers to education, such as racism and discrimination, often because of youth parenthood (Schissel & Wotherspoon, 2003). It is necessary to develop alternative methods of education that are culturally relevant in order to create a context for educational success for First Nations youth. Alternative schools also act to provide an alternative to the justice system, promote egalitarian, non-authoritarian relationships with adults and interdependency as opposed to abject dependency (Schissel & Wotherspoon, 2003). It is important to follow this format in order to provide First Nations students with a greater ability to succeed in all aspects of life, not merely in education. Providing alternatives to the justice system allows for a shift away from punitive justice to focus on a restorative system that will create stronger communities in the long-term.

Creating opportunities for more successful education for First Nations students is not a difficult prospect, but it will allow for restoration to occur in Canadian society. It will also work to create a greater and richer future for Canada with full inclusion for all of its citizens, regardless of race.

References
Schissel, B., and Wotherspoon, T. (2003). The Legacy of schools for Aboriginal people: Education, oppression, and emancipation. Canada: Oxford University Press.