As the federal election continues, a concerning issue emerges: the false and misleading information children are exposed to, particularly regarding Indigenous peoples and their struggles. In a time of political polarization, such misinformation can deeply impact young minds, perpetuating stereotypes that have been ingrained in society for generations. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada issued Calls to Action aimed at improving Indigenous education at all levels. Yet, without proper education, future generations will continue to make the same mistakes.
In Winnipeg over the weekend, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s speech illustrated how such misunderstandings can occur during political campaigns. Poilievre spoke about tax cuts, crime, and military spending, but also mentioned Indigenous peoples briefly. “We will invest in treatment and recovery,” he stated, adding that young people would receive services like counseling, detox, group therapy, and sweat lodges. While this may seem thoughtful, it risks oversimplifying Indigenous identity to cultural practices like sweat lodges. Indigenous peoples are diverse communities with fundamental needs for healthcare, education, clean water, and economic development.
What is troubling is that the reference to healing centers glosses over deeper issues facing Indigenous peoples. Communities continue to struggle with poor access to education, healthcare, and economic equality. These challenges are compounded by the outdated and oppressive Indian Act, which restricts Indigenous governance. A fleeting political nod to ceremonial practices should not replace genuine commitments to reforming these inequities.
The TRC emphasized the importance of education in dismantling stereotypes and promoting reconciliation. However, the process is slow, as shown by the controversy in Newfoundland and Labrador. The provincial education department ordered the destruction of 8,600 textbooks after they were found to contain inaccurate and stereotypical portrayals of Indigenous peoples. The books, purchased for over $200,000, were criticized for perpetuating harmful myths, such as that all Indigenous peoples share the same creation story or that “eastern peoples hunt caribou, and western people fish.”
These textbooks, used by Grade 7 and 8 French immersion students, included significant misrepresentations of Indigenous cultures and territories. They falsely claimed that all Indigenous peoples do not pay taxes or receive free post-secondary education. The books also inaccurately portrayed Indigenous governance, suggesting that all Indigenous groups operate under clan systems, a model not found in all communities. Furthermore, the omission of the 2017 apology by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Newfoundland and Labrador’s Indigenous survivors of residential schools highlighted the lack of accurate historical representation.
This incident underscores the problem of how Indigenous peoples are portrayed in educational materials. Schools and governments must ensure students are taught accurate, culturally sensitive, and inclusive information. The TRC Calls to Action identified the need for more effective Indigenous education across all levels to ensure future generations are better informed and more empathetic.
Unfortunately, this responsibility is often overlooked. Too often, Indigenous leaders are forced to explain who they are and what their communities need. Many appointed to positions of power over Indigenous affairs have had limited exposure to Indigenous peoples. This lack of awareness in leadership contributes to the perpetuation of stereotypes and the slow pace of change.
The destruction of inaccurate textbooks is a necessary step, but it raises important questions: How did these resources, filled with damaging stereotypes, end up in the classroom? Did anyone involved in the approval process consult with Indigenous communities? As provincial NDP leader Jim Dinn pointed out, the fact that these resources were approved without proper oversight is troubling. The subsequent decision to shred the books underscores the need for vigilance in how educational materials are chosen.
This situation highlights the critical importance of education in shaping the future. The TRC’s Calls to Action urged the teaching of the true history of Indigenous peoples to foster understanding beyond stereotypes. Political figures like Poilievre must recognize that addressing Indigenous issues requires more than symbolic gestures; it requires practical, long-term commitments to justice.
If we do not invest in the right education and dismantle the stereotypes that persist, future generations will continue to misunderstand and misrepresent Indigenous peoples. Reconciliation, as the TRC emphasized, begins with education, and it’s time for all of us to ensure future generations are equipped with the truth, compassion, and understanding necessary to move forward in a reconciled Canada.