Hamilton Catholic board chair calls assignment asking students to ‘pretend’ to be colonist ‘inappropriate, insensitive’

The chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board says an assignment created and doled out by one of their teachers that asked students to pretend to be French colonists was inappropriate and insensitive."

In a tweet Sunday afternoon, Twitter user Stephanie Allen (@BuiltJustice) posted a photo of an assignment in which she said her cousin's daughter" had been given in a Hamilton history class.

The assignment asked students to pretend you are the colonist from France. You have just discovered North America. The aboriginal people that were there before you are having issues with you staying."

They are then asked to write a speech to convince the aboriginal people to let you stay on their land."

THE MORE CONVINCING YOU ARE THE BETTER YOUR MARK WILL BE!" states the assignment.

By 6 p.m. on Sunday, Allen's tweet had amassed more than 300 retweets and 400 likes, including the attention of Hamilton Centre MP Matthew Green and Inuk throat singer Tanya Tagaq.

In her tweet, Allen said the assignment has Black and Indigenous students playing the role of their enslaver/colonizer/land thieves. White supremacy is a system in Canada, working as designed."

The Hamilton Spectator tried to connect with the parent of the Grade 7 student but could not immediately be reached for comment.

Reached by The Hamilton Spectator late Sunday, Pat Daly, chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board confirmed that the assignment was given out in one of their classrooms late last week but would not confirm at which school.

He said an initial concern was raised to the teacher late last week and one of the board's five superintendents also became aware of the concern on Friday.

Daly said the teacher's assignment was created based on a directive from the curriculum regarding the use of historical inquiry processes to investigate the perspective of different groups and communities" including Indigenous and First Nations peoples.

The land of Indigenous peoples in Canada began to be colonized by the French and British in the 16th century. It was the beginning of a history that includes residential schools, the Sixties Scoop and the national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

News of the assignment also comes in light of the recent deaths of Rodney Levi and Chantel Moore, two Indigenous people who died during interactions with police in New Brunswick.

Absolutely we understand how this specific assignment is seen to be insensitive and inappropriate," said Daly. I express regret and behalf on the board, I apologize for any concern that it has caused for the parent and the Indigenous community."

Daly said the reaction to the assignment was the exact opposite" of the teacher's intent, adding the staff member has taken responsibility," and has learned from the situation."

The teacher has recognized it did not come across that way," said Daly, noting that the assignment was not approved in any official capacity."

Daly said the board remains committed" to truth and reconciliation work in its schools. He hopes the assignment doesn't change the community's perspective on that commitment.

This is one individual assignment," said Daly. The teacher has taken responsibility ... and we hope the parents will understand that."

Daly said the board's Indigenous Education Jessica Button will be following up with all principals and teachers to make sure assignments are presented in such a way that promotes truth and reconciliation."

Absolutely we will be following up," said Daly.

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com