National History Forum Explores Accuracy and Relevance of History Curriculum
in Canada

OTTAWA, Nov. 15 /CNW/ - More than one million people in Canada identify themselves as belonging to one of the three main groups of Aboriginal people in Canada: First Nations, Inuit or Métis. Like many countries, Canada has been engaged in a process of redress for its aboriginal peoples.  This has had a far reaching influence not just in public policy, but also how the history of this relationship is taught in schools.

Greg Melleuish, an Australian historian and an active voice in Australia's 'History Wars' debate over reformation of their national history curriculum will share his own views on reconciling Aboriginal interpretations of history and identity at the National Forum on Canadian History being held on Thursday, November 18, 2010. 

An initiative of Canada's National History Society, produced with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage and TD Bank Group, the Forum brings together three leading international thinkers in history education and citizenship to make their case to over 125 academics, classroom teachers, museum curators, archivists, public historians as well as popular writers, media producers, and students of history. 

Other presenters at the Forum include Peter Furtado of the United Kingdom, a former editor of History Today magazine and world historian; and Nicole Tutiaux-Guillon, a history educator whose research about contemporary young French citizens' attitudes and perceptions of history is influencing not just what history is taught in France, but how it is taught.  The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration will open the Forum with a keynote speech about the role of history in Canadian citizenship and national identity. 

The event is part of Canada's History Awards and will involve the 2010 recipients of the Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History, as well as noted Canadian historians Charlotte Gray, Desmond Morton, Jack Granatstein, Margaret Conrad, and Jocelyn Létourneau.

Deborah Morrison, President & CEO of Canada's History Society says, "We tend to think we're the only country whose history and national identity is contested.  We're not.  Canadians have much to gain from learning about international experiences, and by exploring some of the key challenges we face in a global context."  Morrison adds, "We want the participants to think more broadly and openly about potential strategies and solutions for overcoming the challenges we face in improving how history is taught in our schools and remembered in our communities."

This year's event will feature three sessions of an hour and a half in length and are structured to encourage questions and dialogue with the audience.  The event will be held at the National Library and Archives auditorium, 395 Wellington Street.  It is open to the public and free of charge to attend.  The presentations will also be broadcast live online.

To register for the National Forum on Canadian History online or onsite, and to preview podcasts with our Forum presenters visit the education section of www.CanadasHistory.ca

About Canada's History Society

Canada's National History Society is a Winnipeg-based charitable organization devoted to popularizing Canadian history.  In addition to publishing Canada's History (formerly The Beaver) magazine, and Kayak: Canada's History Magazine for Kids, the Society also produces Canada's History Awards including Canada's top history honours, the Pierre Berton Award for popularizing Canadian History and the Governor General's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History recognizing exemplary K-12 classroom teachers.

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Canada's National History Forum
PROGRAMME

10:00 am	Welcome Don Newman Master of Ceremonies Daniel J. Caron Librarian and Archivist of Canada
10:10 am	Keynote Speech, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, The Honourable Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P.
10:25 am	Introduction of Presenters
10:30 am	Session 1 - The Role of History in Shaping National Identity Margaret Conrad - Moderator In Canada, many Canadians will tell you we have no national history, and what little history we have is best defined by what we are not... not American, not British, not French.  But are we the only country who isn't easily defined by their history?  Peter Furtado, former editor of History Today magazine and editor of a forthcoming new book about world histories and national identities will lead the presentation.
12:00	Informal Luncheon (lunch provided)
1:30	Session 2 - Negotiating the Past: Reconciling Interpretations of history and identity Jack Granatstein - Moderator At the first National History Forum held in 2008, leading history educator Ruth Sandwell challenged Canada's history community to develop a national framework for the teaching of Canadian history.  But the challenge of determining what should be taught and how it should be taught seems insurmountable given our contested past. Greg Melleuish, an Australian academic historian and an active voice in Australia's "History Wars" debate over reformation of their national history curriculum will start this discussion.
3:00	15 minute Break
3:15	Session 3 - Diversity, History and National Identity Jocelyn Létourneau - Moderator As our societies become more diversified through immigration, identities are becoming more complex, and some argue history and traditional national narratives have the potential to become more remote and less relevant to those who don't see themselves in the story told. On the other hand, many newcomers to Canada say they're more than aware that their place in history is recent and are eager to adopt both the customs and the history of their new home.  When do the experiences and contributions of newcomers cease to be immigration stories and become part of the national narrative? Nicole Tutiaux-Guillon, a professor specializing in the teaching of history in France will lead this discussion reflecting on her research of young peoples' attitudes and perspectives of the past in modern day France.
4:45	Closing Remarks Charlotte Gray, Chair, Canada's History Society

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