Indigenous graduation requirement now in place for B.C. students, with local courses still to come

Grade 12 students in British Columbia this school year are the first required to take an Indigenous-focused course in order to graduate. 

The Indigenous-focused grad requirement, announced last year, was developed by the Ministry of Education and the First Nations Education Steering Committee. 

In a statement sent to CBC News, the Ministry of Education and Child Care said the requirement is "intended to build further awareness and understanding of First Peoples' perspectives, cultures, and histories among all B.C. students and serve as an important step toward reconciliation."

The requirement fulfils one step in the province's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan. 

For most students, it means taking a course similar to English or Social Studies, but with a focus on Indigenous readings, teachings, culture and history. 

Courses like English First Peoples 12, and Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12, have been on the provincial curriculum for years, but were optional.

Now students must take one in order to graduate, or another provincially-approved course their school offers. 

There are 10 provincially-developed courses schools can use, as well as courses teaching 20 different First Nations languages.

School districts also have the option of developing their own courses, based on local knowledge, but they must be developed with, and approved by, one or more local First Nations. 

So far only four districts have ministry-approved, locally developed courses.

That's partly because it takes time to develop curriculum, especially when it's in partnership with groups outside the school system. 

But Jo Chrona said it is key. 

She is an Indigenous education consultant who works with both First Nations and the province, and helped to create the graduation requirement.