I would like to see Indigenous Studies as part of every school's curriculum, & every student visiting an Indigenous community by the time they leave school. It would be a substantial investment in the future.





What better way to bridge the gap in perceptions between 'us' and 'them' than to have the culture of the custodians of this land teach us how it has been inhabited for thousands of years?





I do not see these studies being historical as such but more an exploration and cross pollination of culture. Basically the child would have lessons pertaining to what an Indigenous child would have within their culture.





What better way to also reach adulthood than through an initiation process? This would be invaluable as let's be honest, one's right of passage these days is more about getting wasted than reaching a level of maturity and understanding about one's natural surroundings.





At the end of the day I think it is fair enough that after a couple of hundred years of ramming European culture down Indigenous people's throats it is now the time to have Indigenous culture incorporated into all future learning. After all their concepts about time & ownership (amongst others), their knowledge on sustainability and their richness of spirit are second to none.





Let's embrace this proud and rich culture of the custodians of this land.