The MLA for Memramcook-Tantramar wants Indigenous languages to be added to the New Brunswick school curriculum.
Megan Mitton’s bill, “An Act to Amend the Education Act” passed third reading in the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Economic Policy this week.
“It proposes to add language to align in the education act, which is that the Minister shall prescribe and approve programs and services which foster an understanding of aboriginal history, language and culture among all people,” Mitton says.
Mitton says, currently there is an opportunity for high school students to learn Indigenous languages, but it isn’t offered until grade 11.
“When we are teaching history and culture, you can’t separate that from language, and I think we need to look at the Systemic racism that has existed in our different institutions, so that has existed in our education system,” Mitton says.
She would like to see it added at the elementary level as well, “Specifically Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey should be included. For so long, Indigenous languages have been systematically excluded from our publics school system. This is an opportunity for the revitalization of these languages.”
Mitton hopes that the bill will be passed in September.
