Each year in Canada, September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. First held in 2021, this day recognizes and honours the Survivors of the Residential School System in Canada, as well as the families and communities who have been impacted.
Truth and Reconciliation and the 94 Calls to Action
Prior to the inauguration of this national day, in 2015 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission published 94 calls to action as a starting point for repairing the harm that had been caused by the Residential School System. Appealing to all levels of government and in a variety of sectors, the goal of the 94 calls to action was to also move forward with reconciliation.
The Importance of Education
Education is one of the sectors in which calls to action have been proposed. In response to Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 62 and 63, the Ontario Ministry of Education has implemented and revised several curricula for a variety of subjects, ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 12. The goal of these changes is to increase students’ learning about First Nation, Métis, and Inuit cultures, contributions, perspectives, and histories in areas such as art, literature, law, humanities, politics and history.
Ontario Virtual School
As an accredited online high school in Ontario who recognizes the value of such curricula, Ontario Virtual School offers 2 courses that explicitly respond to the 94 calls to action:
NDW4M: Gr. 12 Indigenous Issues Online Course
In this Grade 12 Indigenous Studies course, students will examine global issues from the perspectives of Indigenous peoples, investigating topics such as identity, social justice, human rights, spirituality, resilience, and advocacy for change. Throughout this course, students develop an understanding of the concerns and aspirations of the world’s indigenous population, plan and conduct research on global issues that have an impact on indigenous peoples, and use information technology to consult materials related to the views of indigenous peoples throughout the world.
NBE3U: Gr. 11 Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices Online Course
In this Grade 11 English course, students explore the themes, forms, and stylistic elements of a variety of literary, informational, graphic, oral, cultural, and media text forms emerging from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures in Canada, and also examines the perspectives and influence of texts that relate to those cultures. In order to fully understand contemporary text forms and their themes of identity, relationship, and self-determination, sovereignty, or self-governance, students analyse the changing use of text forms by Indigenous authors/creators from various periods and cultures in expressing ideas related to these themes.
The Benefits of Online Courses with OVS
Taking either of these senior level courses online with OVS provides students with greater flexibility in school timetables and acknowledges the value of taking self-paced courses. What is more, the e-learning benefits for high school students also include the option to take courses that might not otherwise be offered in day school.
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Education is one of the best ways to develop perspective and cultivate critical thinking about the world around us. Whether it’s taking courses such as NDW4M, NBE3U, or any other online courses with OVS, you will no doubt benefit from the flexibility of online learning.
FAQ: Truth and Reconciliation Through Education
Q: What is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
A: September 30th is a national day in Canada to honour Survivors of the Residential School System and recognize the lasting impact on Indigenous families and communities.
Q: What are the 94 Calls to Action?
A: Published in 2015 by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, these are recommendations aimed at all levels of government and society to help repair harm and advance reconciliation.
Q: How does education play a role in reconciliation?
A: Education helps students learn about Indigenous cultures, perspectives, and histories, building awareness, understanding, and respect for truth and reconciliation.
Q: Which OVS courses address Truth and Reconciliation?
A: OVS offers NDW4M (Grade 12 Indigenous Issues) and NBE3U (Grade 11 Indigenous Voices), both of which explore Indigenous perspectives and contributions in depth.
Q: Why choose to take these courses online?
A: Online learning at OVS offers flexibility, self-paced progress, and access to courses that may not be available at your day school.
Sources
Government of Canada; Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. (2024, July 15). Education. https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524495412051/1557511602225
Indigenous education in Ontario. (n.d.). ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/indigenous-education-ontario
Mas, S. (2015, December 16). Truth and Reconciliation offers 94 ‘calls to action’ CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/truth-and-reconciliation-94-calls-to-action-1.3362258
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (n.d.). ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/national-day-truth-and-reconciliation?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22934556849&gbraid=0AAAABBOyvGBYbPqcANx4HXE1XnlH-IrFj&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrJTGBhCbARIsANFBfgtjWsppPchX_Fc0UB1QkMHw5eblFPWVsm1kjBGQ0CwuRruDFE7cl_8aAgwtEALw_wcB
Private school contact information – Dataset – Ontario Data Catalogue. (2025, August 12). https://data.ontario.ca/dataset/private-school-contact-information
Written by Natalie Tayler (OVS Teacher)