The discussion of a hidden curriculum (Eisner, 1985; Jackson 1968) in which students learn more in the public school system than the direct curriculum or writing provides – or intentionally leaves – is oddly appropriate in the context of examining the experiences of indigenous working-age populations in Canada. Bowles and Gintis (1976) suggest that schools maintain the dominant capitalist system of the dominant society because of the particular social relationships that take place in school communities. If public education in Canada does not correct historical and social prejudices, it perpetuates prejudice and the placement of Indigenous peoples in a lower social status in Canada. How then can we expect them to succeed in areas like the job market? Jean B. Miller's analysis of the dominant/subordinate question between men and women (1995) provides an excellent model for analyzing the plight of Aboriginal people and the barriers to employment in Canada. Indigenous people have been subordinate to colonizing powers for centuries. Morrison (1995) highlights many barriers to diversity in the workplace, but "the most frequently mentioned barrier is bias" (235). It is therefore not surprising that, despite recent gains in educational completion, Canada's Indigenous populations are not experiencing corresponding gains in employment. The last four centuries of Canadian history have been marked by many dark periods for the experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. Topics such as treaty conflicts, the residential school system, armed clashes over territories or disease, drug addiction and conditions on reserves dominate provincially recommended textbooks. These discussions of their past, however, contain little or no indigenous perspective. ...... middle of article ......tagne, F. (2004) The Aboriginal workforce: what lies ahead - CLBC commentary. Ottawa, Canadian Labor and Business Centre. Mendelson, M. (2004) Aboriginal People in Canada's Labor Market: Work and Unemployment, Today and Tomorrow. Ottawa, Caledon Institute of Social Policy Miller, Jean B. (1995). Domination/Subordination. In Wren, J. Thomas (Ed) The Leaders Companion: insights into leadership through the ages. (pp. 222-230) The Free Press: USA. Morrison, Ann M. (1995). Address barriers to opportunities. In Wren, J. Thomas (Ed) The Leaders Companion: insights into leadership through the ages. (pp. 231-242) The Free Press: United States. Saul, J.R. (2008). A Fair Country: Telling Truths About Canada. Toronto: Penguin. Thomas, RR (1990) From positive action to the affirmation of diversity. Harvard Business Review. March-April, pp. 107-117.