Thread by @pamelamroach

Holiday Monday. Just took a deep dive (hours) into all 52 pages of the draft K-6 social studies curriculum. 137 PDF sticky notes later I have some thoughts. The highlights; a thread. 1/10

The curriculum is deeply ideological. Religion aside (let’s save that for another thread), it is staunchly capitalist. Brief mention of collectivism of various Indigenous societies. Mentions societies “developing” not extracting natural resources 2/10

The curriculum is deeply racist, in many ways. One of the most noticeable? The continual reference to Indigenous people in the past tense. “HAD different languages” “HAD traditions and protocol for gifting” “LIVED in these areas” um, hi! Still here, alive and thriving, thx 3/10

The curriculum is weirdly focused on American history. American residential schools, Little Big Horn, etc. Also states Canadian IRS ended in 1970’s, not 1996. 4/10

While we’re at it, Métis only mentioned occasionally. Indigenous peoples often specifically referenced only as First Nations and Inuit, when the information would also apply to Métis. 5/10

The TRC and residential schools only mentioned starting in grade 5. This should be taught starting in kindergarten, as per the TRC calls to action 63, pictured here. 6/10

Nice try at erasure here. But Indigenous people (very much alive today, hi again) are the descendants of survivors (notice no quotation marks needed). We are resistors, rebels, and we will not be quieted. 7/10

It is also dripping with euroethnocentrism. My dad is British, my husband is British, I lived there for 7 years and this has more British Nationalism than the local pub during the World Cup or the Ashes (look it up). 8/10

It also seems like the UCP really love to talk about Robin Hood. Oh the irony, when Robin Hood would have been with us, fighting for the common good. Freeing serfs (who were bound by fear of starvation and retribution - not loyalty). 9/10

We’ll be sending our feedback along to our MLA & relevant UCP caucus members. CC’ing @RachelNotley @JanisIrwin @albertaNDP @shoffmanAB #abcurriculum #abpoli #ABed ##ableg 10/10

Obvs meant 62. Wrong button. No edit function 🤷‍♀️