Supporting First Nations Communities in Ontario (From the President)

ETFO  has a proud reputation of contributing internationally. When an earthquake strikes, we are there. At the same time we sometimes look   less   closely  at  how  communities  right here at home need our support. Nothing demonstrated   this   more  than  when  the  people of  Attawapiskat cried  out  for  help  this  past fall. The  community  was in desperate need of housing, education, and other basic necessities. The federal and  provincial governments were dragging their heels in coming forward with an adequate response. In response to the crisis, ETFO  donated  $5,000  directly  to  the  Housing Crisis Fund at Attawapiskat,  ensuring the much-needed funds would be received by the community and not redirected to a third party. But we knew that would not be enough.

At the November 2011 Executive meeting, we passed a motion to develop a comprehensive and  sustainable  ETFO  campaign  to  support Aboriginal communities in Ontario. Our goals in establishing this campaign are to understand the issues and challenges confronting Aboriginal peoples at the national and provincial levels, with a special focus on education, and to deter- mine ways in which we can support Aboriginal peoples in meeting those challenges.

As a member of the Executive, I am proud that ETFO is a long-time ally of First Nations communities.  Our  commitment  is  demonstrated through our support of the Lieutenant Governor’s Summer Literacy Camps in remote and northern communities, our key sponsorship of  the Right to Play Leadership Program for First Nations across Ontario, as well as our overall  commitment  to  advocacy,  leadership development, and educational resources.

An  effort  that  is  exemplary  of  this  commitment and that began a few years ago is our support of Shannen’s Dream. Over 10 years ago, the  school in Attawapiskat, standing on diesel- contaminated ground, was shut down. Students attended classes in poorly maintained portables while  the  government  did  nothing.  In  2007, Shannen Koostachin, a young person in the community, organized students across the country to get a new school for Attawapiskat and quality education for all children. In 2010, Shannen was killed in a car  accident. Others committed to keeping her dream alive and Shannen’s Dream was born. ETFO  became  one of the first supporters of Shannen’s Dream and to this day continues to advocate for quality education for First Nations children on and off reserves.

Attawapiskat  is  only  one  of  hundreds  of remote communities where students lack quality education, decent housing, and opportunities for a bright future. A report released in early February reminded  us  again  of  the  deplorable  state  of education  in  our  First  Nations  communities. ETFO will continue to work to change that.

Supporting young people and helping them grow are what teachers do every day in their classrooms.  By  supporting  Aboriginal  communities in their struggles, we extend that work into the broader community and help create a climate of mutual care, respect, and collaboration. We are fighting for a future when all young Canadians—no  matter  where  they  live—will have the same fundamental right to education that they need to reach their full potential.

What we do every day in our classrooms is key. We move forward when we move together, each taking another by the hand.