Language in Education among Canadian Native Peoples

Sherry L. Douglas-Keetch was a library technician in Longford Mills, Ontario.

The author previously wrote another book on the same subject: Languages and Their Roles in Educating Native Children (OISE Press, 1980).

About half of the current book’s 45 pages are spent on background information. This is acceptable, because the reader must have a good grasp of the history of native education to understand the programs now in place.

Charts, graphs, and maps from various sources, including the Department of Indian Affairs, are used effectively. There is also a brief but excellent description of the “characteristics of Native languages” and “the agencies responsible for Native education.” The most up-to-date statistics available at the time of printing are interspersed throughout. Extensive use of subheads makes the book easy to read, and Burnaby’s style is concise, without jargon. The book ends on a positive note, with a description both of language programs currently in use and of those proposed. The “Notes” and “Further Reading” sections at the back are important, citing sources not often listed in the usual reference tools, such as Canadian Psychology.

Language in Education among Canadian Native Peoples is a welcome addition to the study of Canada’s Native peoples and education; it should prove to be of special interest to educators.