Bill C-496

2nd Session, 39th Parliament,

56 Elizabeth II, 2007

house of commons of canada

BILL C-496

An Act to promote the teaching of aboriginal history and culture in Canada's schools

WHEREAS the primary political relationship for Canada’s aboriginal peoples is with the Government of Canada;

WHEREAS the provinces have jurisdiction over matters of education;

AND WHEREAS the teaching of aboriginal history and culture is deficient at the primary and secondary school levels, which has contributed to current levels of misunderstanding of the important place of Canada’s aboriginal peoples in our country’s history and to a lack of appreciation for important cultural, legal, historical and political matters such as treaties and the land claims process and for the deep roots of aboriginal peoples in the land and their culture;

NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

1. This Act may be cited as the Aboriginal History and Culture School Curriculum Act.

2. The Government of Canada shall take all available measures to work with the provinces, the First Nations, the Inuit, the Metis Nation and any other interested persons to support and promote the use of an appropriate curriculum to teach aboriginal history and culture in Canada’s primary and secondary schools.

3. At the end of the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2008, and at the end of each of the following four fiscal years, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs shall prepare a report reviewing the progress made by the Government of Canada during that fiscal year in fulfilling its obligations under section 2, and shall cause the report to be laid before each House of Parliament within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year or, if that House is not then sitting, on any of the first 15 days next thereafter that the House is sitting.