Editorial Portfolio Contributions - "Nothing About Us Without Us"
What is the HED Division doing to support Indigenous Perspectives?
Pearson Canada has adopted the “Nothing About Us Without Us” principle by working with Indigenous reviewers, content contributors, editors, and authors. This will ensure the accurate and respectful representation of Indigenous peoples, histories, cultures, and perspectives. Pearson is also working with Indigenous academics, professionals, and members of Inuit, Métis, and First Nation communities, to increase Indigenous content across all publishing products. Pearson is committed to having more learners feel inspired by the stories and examples featured in its products.
What is the School Division doing to support Indigenous Perspectives?
Pearson’s School Division has been working with Indigenous educators and authors for more than 15 years. Some examples:
- The Bug Club Morphology series includes at least three out of 18 reading cards written by either a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis author.
In the Literacy Success Foundations series, four out of sixteen reading passages were written by two First Nations, one Inuit, and one Métis author.
For a custom grade 10 anthology for Newfoundland and Labrador, Pearson is working directly with an Indigenous leader from the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education to ensure appropriate and authentic content is included from the Indigenous community.
For the Newfoundland and Labrador Grades 7–9 Science program, Pearson is working with our Department of Education contact to help facilitate introductions to Indigenous communities. We look forward to collaborating with the Mi’kmaq, Inuit, and Innu communities to respectfully integrate Indigenous knowledge, technologies, practices, and perspectives in the context of science, and in helping to meet the science indicators.
Several Mathology Grades 1–9 lessons feature Indigenous authors, such as Crystal Clark, Melissa Purcell, Shannon Loutitt, and Kristin Insull. These lessons have been reviewed by Indigenous educators to ensure authenticity and cultural relevance.
- The Mathology K-3 Little Book series includes Let’s Play Waltes: A Traditional Mi’kmaq Game by Mi’kmaq author Kyla Bernard and Sharing Our Stories by Dené author Melissa Purcell.
- Pearson worked with Indigenous voice actors to record the audio for all the Indigenous books included in Spark, Pearson’s Digital Library.
- Inquiring Minds Grades 3-7 was developed with authors Nadine McSpadden, Heidi Wood, and Jo-Anne Chrona. This social studies series built in First Peoples’ content and perspectives from the beginning, resulting in very positive feedback.
As Pearson carries out its research in all disciplines, our employee base is working to expand the company’s network of Indigenous educators and advisors, so that Pearson can ensure inclusive and accurate resources that reflect Indigenous perspectives and content.