Responding to Religious Diversity in Manitoba’s Schools A Guide for Educators (2018) Responding to Religious Diversity in Manitoba’s Schools A Guide for Educators (2018) 2018 Manitoba Education and Training Manitoba Education and Training Cataloguing in Publication Data Responding to religious diversity in Manitoba’s schools : a guide for educators Includes bibliographical references. ISBN: 978-0-7711-7440-8 (pdf) 1. Freedom of religion—Teacher training—Manitoba. 2. Religion in the public schools—Manitoba. 3. Religious pluralism—Government policy—Manitoba. 4. Religious pluralism—Manitoba. I. Manitoba. Manitoba Education and Training. 379.28 Copyright © 2018, the Government of Manitoba, represented by the Minister of Education and Training. Manitoba Education and Training Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Every effort has been made to acknowledge original sources and to comply with copyright law. If cases are identified where this has not been done, please notify Manitoba Education and Training. Errors or omissions will be corrected in a future edition. Sincere thanks to the authors, artists, and publishers who allowed their original material to be used. All images found in this resource are copyright protected and should not be extracted, accessed, or reproduced for any purpose other than for their intended educational use in this resource. Any websites referenced in this resource are subject to change without notice. Educators are advised to preview and evaluate websites and online resources before recommending them for student use. Print copies of this resource (stock number 80734) can be purchased from the Manitoba Learning Resource Centre. Order online at www.manitobalrc.ca. This resource is available on the Manitoba Education and Training website at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/. This resource was published in 2016 as Responding to Religious Diversity in Manitoba’s Schools: A Guide for Educators (Draft 2015). Available in alternate formats upon request. CONTENTS Acknowledgements xi Section 1: Religious Diversity, Legislation, and Policy 1 Diversity and Religious Pluralism in Manitoba’s Schools 1 Building Inclusive Schools 2 Introduction 4 Manitoba’s Legislation and Policy 5 Definitions 6 Instruction in Religion, Religious Exercises, and Patriotic Observances 9 Requests for Accommodation 10 Unresolved Requests 10 Section 2: Accommodation Guidelines 11 Areas of Accommodation 11 General Religious Accommodation Guidelines and Procedures 12 Section 3: Religious Diversity Fact Sheets 23 Introduction to the Religious Diversity Fact Sheets 23 Religious Diversity in Canada 25 Religious Diversity in Manitoba 26 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit World Views/Indigenous Spirituality 30 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 30 Respectful Use of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) Cultural Symbols 32 Accommodation that May Be Requested for Indigenous Spiritual Observances 33 Resources and References 40 Bahá’í 41 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 41 Religious Accommodations that May Be Requested 42 Resources and References 44 Buddhism 45 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 45 Religious Accommodations that May Be Requested 47 Resources and References 48 Contents v Christianity 49 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 49 Diversity of Christianity 50 Religious Accommodations that May Be Requested 52 Apostolic or Oneness Pentecostals 57 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 57 Church of Christ, Scientist 60 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 60 Overview 61 Resources and References 63 The Hutterian Brethren (Hutterites) 63 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 63 Mennonites 67 Jehovah’s Witnesses 69 Seventh-Day Adventist Church 72 Resources and References 74 Hinduism (Hindu Dharma) 75 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 75 Religious Accommodation for Hindus 77 Resources and References 81 Humanism 82 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 82 Resources and References 83 Islam 84 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 84 Religious Accommodation for Islam 87 References and Resources 106 Jainism 108 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 108 Religious Accommodation for Jains 111 Resources and References 114 Judaism 115 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 115 Religious Accommodations for Judaism 120 Resources and References 130 Rastafari 131 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 131 References and Resources 136 vi Responding to Religious Diversity in Manitoba’s Schools: A Guide for Educators Sikhism 137 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 137 Resources and References 147 Zoroastrianism 149 Introduction and Foundational Beliefs 149 Resources and References 151 Section 4: Religious Holy Days 153 Diversity of Religious Calendars 153 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit 155 Bahá’í 155 Buddhism 155 Christianity 157 Hindu 163 Humanist Church, Canadian Humanist Association 164 Islam 164 Jainism 166 Judaism 166 Sikhism 167 Wicca 168 Zoroastrian 168 Section 5A: Frequently Asked Questions 169 The presence of a sincerely held belief is the basis by which religious accommodation decisions are guided. 169 Request for Accommodation by Students 170 Religious Practice: Prayer 170 Religious Practice: Accommodation for Prayer in School (Islam) 173 Accommodation for School Dress Codes 173 Accommodation for School Activities 175 Assessment and Evaluation: Music 177 School Curricula 178 Religious (Sacred and Holy) Texts 184 Contents vii Section 5B: Case Scenarios 185 Case Scenario 1: Smudging in Classrooms and Schools 186 Description 186 Considerations 186 Resolution 188 Case Scenario 2: Accommodation for Modesty Requirements in Physical Education 189 Description 189 Considerations 189 Resolution 190 Case Scenario 3: Accommodating an After-School Christian Youth Club 191 Description 191 Considerations 193 Case Scenario 4: Accommodation for Religious Beliefs/Values with Respect to the Music Curriculum 196 Description 196 Considerations 196 Resolution 198 Case Scenario 5: Accommodation for Attendance at Salat Aljum’a Friday Congregational Prayers Held During Noon or Instructional Time 199 Description 199 Considerations 199 Resolution 201 Case Scenario 6: Accommodation for the Wearing of Religious Symbols 202 Description 202 Considerations 202 Resolution 203 Case Scenario 7: Accommodation for Gender Segregation 204 Description 204 Considerations 204 Resolution 205 Case Scenario 8: Accommodation for the Teaching of Evolution in the Science Curriculum 206 Description 206 Considerations 206 Resolution 208 viii Responding to Religious Diversity in Manitoba’s Schools: A Guide for Educators Section 6: Forms and Procedures 209 Reasonable Accommodation of Religious Beliefs—Checklist 210 Request to Substitute Compulsory Credits in Senior Years 211 Religious Accommodation Discussion Template for Administrators 212 Music: Religious Accommodation Discussion Template for Administrators 213 Dance: Religious Accommodation Discussion Template for Administrators 215 Health and Physical Education: Religious Accommodation Discussion Template for Administrators 217 Social Studies: Religious Accommodation Discussion Template for Administrators 219 Other Religious Accommodation Requests: Religious Accommodation Discussion Template for Administrators 221 School Schedule Considerations 223 Inclusive School Holiday Considerations: Questions for Reflection and Planning 224 Religious Accommodation Request Flowchart 226 Section 7: Interfaith Education Resources 227 Print Resources 227 Web-Based Resources 227 Section 8: Image Credits 231 Section 1 231 Section 2 231 Section 3 231 Section 4 237 Section 5 238 Section 6 238 Section 7 238 Section 8 238 Contents ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Manitoba Education and Training wishes to thank all of the educators, students, and community members who have contributed to the development of this document. We would also like to acknowledge the work of various educational institutions, school boards/districts, and educational partners who have developed policies or similar support documents which have informed our work and were influential in the development of this resource. In particular, we wish to acknowledge the following: QQ Religious Accommodation Guideline—English Public, Ontario Education Services Corporation (OESC). www.oesc.cseo.org/English/equityInclusivity.html. QQ Guidelines and Procedures For the Accommodation of Religious Requirements, Practices and Observances, Toronto District School Board, 2000 and 2010. QQ Accommodation of Religious Requirements, Practices and Observances: A Guideline, York Region District School Board. QQ Program Accommodations for Faith Purposes, York Region District School Board, 2014. www.yrdsb.ca/Programs/equity/Documents/ ReligiousAccommodation.pdf. QQ Guidelines and Procedures for the Accommodation of Religious Requirements, Practices and Observances. Durham District School Board, 2010. h t t p : //d d s b . ca/AboutUs/EquityInclusiveEducation/Pages/Procedures-for-Religious- Accommodation.aspx. QQ Safe and Caring Schools for Students of All Faiths: A Guide for Teachers, Alberta Teachers’ Association, 2003. http://safeandcaring.ca/wp-content/ uploads/2013/08/SACS-for-Students-of-All-Faiths-unbooked.pdf. QQ The Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action. Edmonton Alberta Teachers’ Association. 2003. QQ Religious Accommodations and Guidelines for Religious Activities for Students, Fairfax County Public Schools. www.fcps.edu/. QQ Religious Accommodation Directive, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. www.hwdsb.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Religious- Accommodation-Directive.pdf. QQ Religious Accommodation Operating