Beginning in 2023-2024, all Grade 11 students in York Region District School Board will take Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices NBE11, as their required Grade 11 English credit.
The course will be offered in all secondary schools in 2022-2023, and will fulfill the compulsory requirement for a Grade 11 English credit for all secondary school students in the Board in 2023-2024.
This course is designed to expand students’ understandings of Indigenous themes, literary styles, and cultural insights from the work of many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit authors. It examines their perspectives and influence on life, relationships and issues in contemporary Canada. At the end of the course students will not only be prepared for the compulsory Grade 12 English course, they will also have a stronger understanding of the concepts of Indigenous ways of knowing, identity, sovereignty, and self- governance, that will prepare them for further post-secondary study and the larger work of Truth and Reconciliation in Canadian society.
Read the NBE: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices Curriculum.
Introducing this course as a requirement for all secondary school students supports The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action (PDF) for educators to build “student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect” (TRC Call To Action #63).
Many secondary schools in the board are already offering the course as a replacement or option for Grade 11 English.
Frequently Asked Questions
York Region District School Board is committed to Truth and Reconciliation, and recognizes the importance of all students learning about the histories, cultures and perspectives of First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples. This course provides an opportunity for students to deepen their learning and understandings, while developing the literacy and critical thinking skills as they would in the ENG3 course.
As outlined in the curriculum document (PDF)
“The history of Canada begins with Indigenous peoples; this land’s development and its future are inextricably linked to its first inhabitants. In this unique position, Indigenous peoples have perspectives on and knowledge of this land and of humanity that can inform how Canada addresses global challenges in the twenty-first century. Exploration of Indigenous cultures, ways of knowing, and contributions to society is therefore essential for students as the global citizens and problem solvers of tomorrow.”
Introducing this course as a requirement for all secondary school students supports The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action for educators to build “student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect” (TRC Call To Action #63).
This course is designed as an alternative to Grade 11 English. Similar to ENG3, students will develop a range of essential skills in oral communication, reading and literature studies, writing, media studies, all with an emphasis on critical thinking.
“English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices” focuses on these core competencies through exploration of text forms emerging from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures in Canada, and also of the perspectives and influence of texts that relate to those cultures.”
Read the NBE: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices Curriculum
Yes. As outlined by the Ministry of Education, “The Grade 11 courses named “English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices” (NBE3U, NBE3C, and NBE3E) focus on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit textual, oral, and media studies and may be used to meet the Grade 11 English compulsory credit requirement.” First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies Grades 9-12, p 16
Yes. As outlined in the curriculum, this course can be used to replace the Grade 11 English compulsory credit, preparing students for future secondary and post-secondary pathways. In addition, many post-secondary programs are beginning to require students to complete Indigenous studies as part of their programs.
Yes, all students in Grade 11 will take the English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices.” It will be available as NBE3U, NBE3C, and NBE3E.
Discussions about this change started in 2019, at the same time that other smaller boards in the province were making the change to a common NBE Indigenous English curriculum. Due to the size of the YRDSB a more measured approach was taken. Since 2020, the board has been working to prepare staff to implement this change, taking the time to develop and deliver professional learning resources and opportunities, and provide schools with access to texts. These supports will help ensure educators are prepared to teach the course.
Since 2020, YRDSB has been offering training to educators to ensure teachers are prepared to teach the course and have access to texts. This has included:
- Providing online and physical texts to schools.
- Supporting professional learning and the development of course planning with direct support from Indigenous staff members and Indigenous community members.