SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

Is It Time to Update the Citizenship Test?

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, 75 Years of the Canadian Citizenship Act Special Issue, 2022

By Kelly Boutsalis

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression” is a phrase often attributed to Will Rogers, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. For many newcomers to Canada, their first impression of the Indigenous peoples living on their ancestral lands in Canada often comes in the form of an outdated study guide for the citizenship test.

When the Citizenship Act came into force in 1947, it allowed people to become legal Canadian citizens for the first time. Under this Act, citizenship could be granted to permanent residents of Canada who, among other qualifications, showed they possessed sufficient knowledge of what it meant to be Canadian.

Today, candidates applying for Canadian citizenship must have “adequate knowledge of Canada” as well as an understanding of “the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.” Applicants display this knowledge by taking a citizenship test that covers topics such as Canada’s history, government, regions, and symbols. The practice materials to prepare for that test, as well as the test itself, should ideally be up-to-date and all-encompassing for each subject. Fundamental pieces of information are missing, however.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .
Avatar photo

Kelly Boutsalis is a Mohawk freelance journalist from the Six Nations of the Grand River. The bulk of her work focuses on highlighting Indigenous stories, and her words have appeared in The New York Times, The Walrus, The Narwhal, and more.

Education News

Common Sense Media Launches New Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum

Revamped curriculum features lessons on online safety, building healthy mindsets, managing screen time, AI literacy, and more.

The Secret to Thriving Schools? Parents Who Feel Safe and Heard

To create a culture of safety and help parents feel confident sending their children to school, school leaders must communicate with families about the safety measures that are in place.

New Book from NYC Science Teacher Strives to Reimagine Education in Urban Classrooms

In "Learning Environment," award-winning New York City science teacher Dr. Fox transforms traditional instruction into immersive, justice-driven learning.

Turning Pages, Turning Up: Tackling Absenteeism Through Reading Culture

Across the nation, educators are facing a growing crisis of chronic absenteeism. And while interventions often focus on remediation or outreach, one Title I school in Kentucky tried a different solution: running school-wide reading challenges.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Kelly Boutsalis
Kelly Boutsalis
Kelly Boutsalis is a Mohawk freelance journalist from the Six Nations of the Grand River. The bulk of her work focuses on highlighting Indigenous stories, and her words have appeared in The New York Times, The Walrus, The Narwhal, and more.

Advertisement

Read More

3 Places to Buy Sensory Toys Online for Special Needs Students

Explore sensory toys that support focus, calming, and skill-building for students with special needs—plus where to find them online.

Ditch the Desk and Embrace the Flex

I began the school year in a classroom with eighteen standard desks. Today, I have none. This isn’t a lament about budgetary constraints or overcrowded classrooms; it’s a deliberate choice.

Common Sense Media Launches New Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum

Revamped curriculum features lessons on online safety, building healthy mindsets, managing screen time, AI literacy, and more.

The Secret to Thriving Schools? Parents Who Feel Safe and Heard

To create a culture of safety and help parents feel confident sending their children to school, school leaders must communicate with families about the safety measures that are in place.

New Book from NYC Science Teacher Strives to Reimagine Education in Urban Classrooms

In "Learning Environment," award-winning New York City science teacher Dr. Fox transforms traditional instruction into immersive, justice-driven learning.

Back-to-School Must-Haves: Transform Your Classroom with These Indispensable Items

With the right tools and products at your side, you can turn the chaotic transition from summer break back to school into a smooth ride.
casino en vivo | grand lisboa casino | win money casino online | caliente casino en vivo | esta caliente | juegos de casino gratis sin descargar ni registrarse | aplicaciones para adultos para ganar dinero | casino 1995 | ruleta gta v coche | casino flamingo | caliente bingo | verde casino | que puedo vender o hacer para ganar dinero | ruleta casino | veneto casino | casino winner | free slots gratis | casino life guadalajara | golden island casino | calientemx casino online | como ganar dinero respondiendo encuestas de amazon | las vegas casinò online | bbrbet casino | software ruleta online | los mejores casinos online | casino caliente sport | app para ganar dinero paypal sin invertir | bono bienvenida casino | ganar dinero jugando minecraft | ganar dinero jugando minecraft 2016 | casino montecarlo | mejor app para ganar dinero 2021 | app ganar dinero real | como ganar dinero en internet sin invertir 2021 | bet365 casino | macao casino cancun | 6black casino online | casino flamingo | ibet caliente | tibia como ganar dinero | maquinas tragamonedas viejas gratis | como saber cuando una maquina tragamonedas va a pagar | royal panda | casino winpot | ruleta online 2025 | joker slot | casino diamond | casino 1995 | como ganar dinero a los 60 años | predicciones marcador correcto | casino broadway oficial | slot machine free gratis | auslots casino online | casino online deposit paypal | anonymous casino online | mazatlan casino | ganar dinero con blogger 2017 | hobbies para ganar dinero | casino del valle | borgata casino | casino central colima | hipodromo caliente | las vegas casino hotels |