32.013 - Urban Indigenous Education Centre (Also Known as Aboriginal Education Centre) and the First Nations School of Toronto

Session Type: Off-Site Visit

Abstract

This Site Visit will allow AERA participants to learn first-hand about the culturally relevant professional development work within the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to support the teaching of Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Growing out of the recommendations of the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission report and the curricular reforms that followed, the Urban Indigenous Education Centre was formed to serve educators in Toronto who seek to face the history of cultural genocide that Indigenous children endured in Canadian government-run schools for generations. In addition to providing professional development, the Center conducts research, engages community members, and advocates for children. Through this work, the Centre helps to infuse Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum for all students enrolled in Toronto District schools as well as provide direct wrap-around supports to enhance the overall achievement of First Nation, Métis and Inuit students. Staff at the Aboriginal Education Centre include a Program Coordinator, an itinerant Student Success Teacher, a Child and Youth Counselor, a Social Worker, an Instructional Leader and Community Liaison Workers who collectively offer a wide range of services for students, educators and parents, including connections to community resources; one-on-one and group itinerant support; and student networking within the Aboriginal community.
The Centre is also the home of the First Nations School of Toronto, a K-10 school that follows the Ontario Curriculum while centering Indigenous knowledges, perspectives and cultures. Thus. the focus of the First Nations School is to offer a tradition-based curriculum that meets the requirements set by the Parent Council, the Toronto District School Board and the Ontario Ministry of Education while teaching Native values, spirituality, culture and Ojibwe language throughout the school curriculum. The goal is to ensure that urban Native children will have the opportunity to learn about their heritage and the traditional Anishinaabe cultural perspective while acquiring the skills necessary to survive in today’s world. The curriculum includes Native Second Language program, Native traditional singing and drumming, Native dance and movement, Native tradition and community feasts.
This AERA Site Visit will include a tour of the First Nations School and a presentation by the educators at the school. In addition, the Centre’s staff and affiliated community members and members of the Council of Elders will provide an overview of the professional development and community based work they do and its impact on Native children and the public schools in Toronto. Participants will learn about the relationship between the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission report and the resulting reform efforts implemented by the Toronto District School Board to support the work of the Urban Indigenous Education Center.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chairs

• Tanya Senk

• Antonino Giambrone, York University