Photo courtesy Candace Aksidan

By Caden Fanshaw

SD 57

PGSS students asked to list benefits of colonization for Indigenous people

Sep 15, 2021 | 5:32 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – During the first week back to school this fall, Grade 9 students at Prince George Secondary School (PGSS) were sent home with an assignment to list the positive and negative impacts of colonization for Indigenous people.

The assignment was part of a Social Studies 9 class where students were asked to analyze the colonization of the Americas.

“This is very triggering,” said Candace Akisdan, the mother of one of the students in the class.

Aksidan said many members of her family are residential school survivors, and Indian Day School survivors, but added even those who didn’t attend those institutes can be triggered through intergenerational trauma.

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The assignment according to Aksidan was not just handed out to one class, instead multiple, she does not want to blame the teacher but the curriculum.

Photo courtesy Candace Aksidan

School District 57 Acting Superintendent Cindy Heitman apologized for the assignment saying it should’ve never happened.

“We are deeply sorry for any harm that this has caused to the students, parents, and families in our Indigenous community,” said Heitman.

Heitman also said she realized saying “we’re sorry” isn’t enough, adding the district needs to put action behind words.

Heitman said the intent of the assignment was to spark a conversation about the negative impacts and enduring effects of colonization.

“This is not an issue with the curriculum,” says Acting Superintendent Cindy Heitman, “this is an issue with the resources and activities chosen to teach that curriculum.”

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has also been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.