The province is helping the Anishinabek Nation develop a free online education resource.
Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing, announced $39,000 as part of the government’s Anti-Racism Anti-Hate Grant.
He says the resource, “De’aabshkoo Gdaawmi: We are all the Same”, will help people recognize and act to prevent occurrences of racism towards Indigenous people.
“There is no place for hate or intolerance of any kind in our community. No Ontarian, regardless of their background, faith or sexual orientation, should be afraid to express who they are,” says Fedeli.
He adds the investment will empower organizations in our community to build a better place for all of us to live, work, and raise a family.
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe says this is a unique education resource with built-in curriculum expectations that brings to light First Nation peoples’ experience with racism.
“This resource helps fill the current Indigenous education gap within the Ontario Curriculum and helps teachers lead meaningful conversations with students that can extend beyond the classroom,” he says. “It emphasizes the need to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and highlights the systemic racism that exists within the Indian Act. Educational resources such as these are powerful tools to combat racism and help create a safer space for our most vulnerable demographics.”
Officials say the online resource is available on the Anishinabek Nation website and is suitable for anyone age 12 and up.
***With files from Richard Coffin