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An Exciting Opportunity

15 February 2023
Ms Robyn Amiel, Indigenous Studies Coordinator, History Teacher

As students in Grade 9, 10, and 11 begin planning their course selection for next year, a new opportunity created by the British Columbia Ministry of Education is on the minds of many. The following is a brief explanation of the new Indigenous-Focused Graduation Requirement (IFGR), and why it is an exciting opportunity for all secondary students in British Columbia. 

What is the IFGR?

According to the Ministry of Education (2023), “Effective the 2023/24 school year, all students working toward a BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma), in English or French, must successfully complete at least four (4) credits in Indigenous-focused coursework. This requirement applies to students in BC public, independent, First Nations, and offshore schools. There is no change to the total number of credits required to graduate, which remains at 80.”

Why was the IFGR created?

The intent of the IFGR is to showcase Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and ways of knowing that have historically been ignored. Commitments at the federal and provincial levels were made to help facilitate reconciliation following the 2008 federal apology to all survivors and victims of residential schools. In partnership with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), the leading Indigenous policy driver in British Columbia, the Ministry of Education developed curriculum and policy in response to both the 2008 Apology and the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. As educators in British Columbia, we are guided by international, federal, and provincial principles for promoting reconciliation:

Internationally

In 2019, British Columbia passed laws to unhold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: “Indigenous Peoples have the right to the dignity and diversity of their cultures, traditions, histories and aspirations which shall be appropriately reflected in education and public information” (UNDRIP Article 15-1).

Federally

In 2015, Call to Action #62 from the final report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission stated the need to “Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal Peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada, a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students.”

Provincially

In 2022, The Ministry of Education reinforced the value of “Our education system as a tool for reconciliation that serves Indigenous students, and all students, well.”

How will the IFGR be delivered at Brentwood?

Students will have three opportunities to fulfill this graduation requirement. They can choose to take English First Peoples 10, English First Peoples 12, or Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12. Students can take Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12 either in their Grade 11 or Grade 12 year. An additional benefit to our students is these courses also count towards another graduation requirement: English 10, 12, or a senior social studies course.

Why is the IFGR valuable for Brentwood students?

This coursework provides Brentwood students opportunities to connect with people and communities in a place-based way - specifically, the Hul’q’umi’num-speaking Malahat Nation and Cowichan Tribes.

The intent is to help Brentwood students incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing, and to take steps to decolonize our teaching and learning.  

Do you want to know more about the IFGR? Please consider these resources:

BC Ministry of Education IFGR Video

First Nations Education Steering Committee Website

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Ms Robyn Amiel, Indigenous Studies Coordinator, History Teacher

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