A Canadian high school has sparked backlash after including Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, on a list of dictators in a social studies assignment, prompting outrage from Turkish parents in Canada and a formal response from Turkey’s embassy in Ottawa, the Sözcü daily reported.
The incident was first brought to attention through a video report published by the Turkish Voice of Canada YouTube channel.
According to the report, the assignment, given to 12th-grade students at Dr. Anne Anderson High School in Edmonton, listed Atatürk as a dictator alongside such figures as Benito Mussolini and Saddam Hussein. The inclusion sparked anger among Turkish-Canadian families and prompted a response from Turkish diplomats.
İlayda Güvenç, a student at the school, noticed Atatürk’s name on the list and brought the assignment to the attention of her parents, Nazan and Ramazan Güvenç, who then contacted the school principal.
“We explained who Atatürk was and why he should not be on that list,” the family said, noting the principal had limited knowledge of Atatürk but agreed to meet and listen to their objections.
Following the family’s outreach, Turkish journalist İrep Çakır became involved in the reporting of the incident, contacting both the school and provincial officials.
In a written statement sent to Çakır over her questions about the incident, Alberta’s Ministry of Education said the provincial curriculum does not identify Atatürk as a dictator.
“Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is not referenced as a dictator in Alberta’s curriculum. … School boards have the freedom, flexibility and responsibility to decide which social studies materials are most appropriate for their students to use to learn the curriculum,” said Garrett Koehler, press secretary for Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides.
Koehler added that teachers use their “professional judgment” in selecting materials and that parents are encouraged to raise any concerns with educators directly.
After meeting with the Güvenç family, Kim Smith, a communications professional with Edmonton Public Schools, confirmed that the assignment was being reviewed.
Smith explained that the goal of the assignment was to help students “learn more about world leaders and come up with their own conclusions” but admitted that the printed handout “requires further revisions and context to better reflect the intention.
Turkey’s ambassador to Canada, Can Dizdar, criticized Atatürk’s inclusion on the list, calling it a misrepresentation that should be addressed.
“We find this portrayal of Atatürk unacceptable,” Dizdar said, noting that the embassy would follow up with the relevant authorities to ensure such mistakes are not repeated.
He also praised the student and her family for raising the issue, saying, “It is extremely important for members of the Turkish community in Canada to speak out against such incidents to help prevent their recurrence and to raise awareness and understanding within Canadian society.”
Under Turkish law, the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is legally protected. Law No. 5816, known as “The Law Concerning Crimes Committed Against Atatürk,” criminalizes any insult or defamation directed at the founder of modern Turkey. Violations can carry prison sentences of up to three years.