Reconciliation and the Canadian Education System: A Study Through a Colonial Lens

Abstract

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada Report and its Calls to Action have identified formal education in Canada as a path towards hope and reconciliation. Yet, as a system born of imperialism and colonialism, how can formal education in Canada accomplish this task? By using Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Tribal Critical Race Theory (TribalCrit) as a framework, this paper has as its foundation that racism and colonialism are endemic in Canadian society and warrant critical and interdisciplinary study. Examining both the federal government and Alberta government’s formal education responses to the Calls to Action, this paper has found that important work needs to happen in order to respond to the TRC Calls to Action. First, funding gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous education needs to see a shift from control to responsibility. Second, curricular development and implementation need to focus on transformative learning rather than material content. Finally, teacher training needs to give space and support for inner and personal work to understand the racism and colonialism in teachers’ own lives.