Cultural representation in all aspects of the school environment empowers children with a positive group identity. This awareness of one's own culture and the cultures of others, develops self-concept, enhances learning, promotes an appreciation of Canada's pluralistic society, and supports universal human rights. Educators need cross-cultural education to develop these understandings.
Responsive adaptations are necessary to all curriculum for effective and meaningful implementation.
Curricula and materials will include historical and contemporary issues. Teachers have a responsibility to evaluate all resources for bias and to teach students to recognize such bias. The Contributions Approach focuses on heroes, holidays, and discrete cultural elements, but does not help students to attain a global view of cultural groups in society. The Additive Approach is accomplished by the addition of content, concepts, themes, and perspectives. The Transformation Approach differs fundamentally from the first two.