This petition is to make Indigenous based courses mandatory for all students to take in TVDSB. These classes will include learning Indigenous culture, language, traditions and history. Field trips to Powwows should also be included. The loss of Indigenous languages means the loss of cultural identity. Languages carry traditions and creation stories that tie Indigenous people to their culture. Without language, identities are lost. Less than 1% of the total population in Canada speaks an Indigenous language. The goal of these classes is to help repair and preserve the identities of Indigenous peoples in Canada, while educating new generations in order to achieve reconciliation. This petition will help Canadian students acknowledge the past injustices, which is essential to the path of reconciliation. Cultural diversity will be promoted as all students (from any background) will be able to learn the perspectives and practices of Indigenous peoples in Canada. These classes will be able to teach students how they can help Indigenous people in Canada going forward into a brighter future.

“Restore what must be restored, repair what must be repaired, and return to what must be returned” - The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 

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Thank you!