Introduction

Students of the Early Childhood Education Diploma program currently have varying knowledge and understanding of Indigenous ways, including histories, literacy, learning, practices, ways of life, cultural heritage/awareness, and more.

Due to the lack of standards regarding what knowledge is taught/provided during the Diploma program, implementing a mandatory, intro-level Indigenous Knowledge and Learning course would be beneficial for developing knowledge and understanding for student ECEs to later use in their professional practice.

Statement of Purpose

We petition to implement a mandatory, introductory-level Indigenous knowledge and learning course taught by an Indigenous instructor/s in the Fanshawe College ECE Diploma program. This implementation aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action to ensure students have the information and tools to understand and integrate Indigenous perspectives and cultures within their practice.

Why This is Important

1. It will help bridge the gap in the educational system because the knowledge gained by ECEs on the Indigenous cultures and traditions  will equip the educators on how to incorporate Indigenous teachings into their mainstream education curriculum to foster Indigenous inclusion in the system (Peterson et al., 2018)
2. To help restore and foster Indigenous cultural identity in Indigenous children (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2023)

Call to Action

1. We ask Fanshawe College to (a) develop and implement an introductory-level course on Indigenous Knowledge and Learning that will (b) mainstream Indigenous learning and content throughout the curriculum.
2. We ask Fanshawe College to participate in reconciliation by abiding by the ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action’ (2015) by (a) providing more job opportunities for Indigenous educators (p. 1-2) and (b) providing post-secondary teachers/educators with indigenous knowledge and teaching methods to implement within the classrooms for student teachers/educators future practice (p. 7). 
3. We ask students, faculty, and community members for their support and signatures to express the importance of this curriculum development for early childhood educators.

Conclusion

Ensuring a base level of knowledge for all ECEs regarding Indigenous histories, practices, and curriculum (pedagogy) provides ECEs with the necessary training to feel comfortable implementing Indigenous practices within their classrooms, which helps provide a more inclusive and diverse education system for Indigenous families and communities.

Signatures

We, the undersigned, would like to ask Fanshawe College to implement an introductory-level Indigenous Knowledge and Learning course within the mandatory course content for the 2-year Early Childhood Education Diploma program that ECE students must complete before graduation, ideally in the first term.