Dave Courchene: Education system fails First Nations people

The education system has failed First Nations people because it does not tell the truth of the history of our people. It does not share the stories of the roots of the original people of this land who have a knowledge and understanding, particularly in how to have a respectful relationship with Meymeynosh herself.

The education system is not working for anyone. We have spent the inheritance of our children and harmed their future. In today’s world, young people face added challenges in terms of technology that is available – their enthusiasm quickly turns to dependency and addiction to screens, social media and games. When we look at today’s world we see so much violence, we see so much addiction.

The First People’s ancestral knowledge has not yet been regarded as legitimate in providing a significant contribution to defining a real education. We find that many young people have no vision, and it is not their fault. The education system today does not consider the wholeness of a human being’s need to be nurtured properly. The four elements of life—the mind, the body, the emotions and the spirit—all have to be nurtured. There are teachings that one needs to learn in order to be educated about each element of life.

We have to radically rethink the education system.

We have to find the courage to revolutionize the entire education system to include the ancestral knowledge of the original people of this land, who carry a connection to Meymeynosh.