Students attending Seven Generation Education Institute's Fall Harvest in Sept. 2021. Image: Randy Thoms

Ontarians are split on whether Ontario’s public education system is doing a good job when it comes to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

A survey conducted for the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association found just 21 saying it is doing a good to a very good job, while 25 per cent say it’s poor or very poor.

Chair of the Indigenous Trustee’s Council Elaine Johnston says it is not surprising.

“Because we have been hearing and also talking as the Indigenous Trustee Council that there needs to be more of a relationship with the First Nations and also there needs to be mandatory curriculum,” says Johnston.

Johnston says they are making some strides, but the survey shows more work needs to be done.

The Association’s Chair agrees

Cathy Abraham admits the numbers are not great.

“But it tells us that, A, the work we are doing we need to talk about it more and B, we are quite upfront about the work that we have done, but we have a lot of work to do,” says Abraham.