An Ontario school district has pulled a Indigenous author’s book from library shelves and warned teachers not to use it because it’s simply too Indigenous.
School district officials said the fantasy novel The Great Bear, written by Cree writer David A. Robertson, has been found to contain 347% more Indigeneity than recommended levels.
“These Indigenous levels are off the charts!” a spokesperson for Durham District School Board said, clutching an Indigi-O-Meter. “It’s too Indigenous for the children!”
Long-term exposure to Indigenous literature has been known to lead to children having knowledge of Indigenous stories, and in some cases speaking Indigenous languages.
It’s not the first time a public agency has banned Indigenous books and knowledge. In 2017, Saskatchewan parents were outraged when new Indigenous curriculum turned their kids into First Nation, Métis, Inuit Peoples.
