To Learn: Sharing, Wisdom, Strength and Unity
Pauline
Theoret
CTF-Virtual Aboriginal Twinning
Canadian Teachers' Federation
, ON
Yes
First Nations people, Other.
Elementary or Secondary school, Non-profit organization.
More than 5 years
To Learn... is a virtual twinning program with First Nations students that offers an opportunity for reflection, critical thinking and leadership.
Start-Up (a project that is just getting started)
The 2010 Canadian Teachers' Federation Study of Aboriginal Teachers’ Professional Knowledge and Experience in Canadian Schools informed us that Aboriginal teachers valued the opportunity to teach Aboriginal culture and history, to foster responsible citizens, to challenge the negative stereotypes of Aboriginal people, to serve as role models and to have a positive impact on children and youth. By positively acknowledging the lives, culture and history of Aboriginal people, and by acknowledging the racism experienced by Aboriginal teachers and students, the students and teachers involved in this twinning of cultures will promote the creation of a caring citizenry and secure communities.
Give a visible voice to First Nations students so they embrace who they are and share their knowledge and passion.
We would love to see those visible and invisible barriers removed; those that stand in the way of First Nations student success. Only by removing these barriers that continue to allow inequitable education structures and opportunities that stifle Canadian student growth, knowledge, opportunity, passion, and motivation, will we then be able to embrace the uniqueness of cultures that is Canada.
In five years’ time, we’d like to see the entire student population, First Nations and others, embrace this cultural twinning, reflect understanding, respect, and sharing. We'd like to see an increase in confidence, self-esteem, creativity, belief and empowerment among First Nations students.
The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation has provided the most necessary seed funding to nurture the pilot project with the Assembly of First Nations' Education Sector. Attempts are being made to secure sustainable funding beyond this pilot year to continue to provide the opportunity and personal growth to First Nations students. We value our working relationship with the Assembly of First Nations and we will continue to work together to break down barriers and instill a sense of community among all students.
The Canadian Teachers' Federation and its Members and partners will continue working with AFN Education to ensure this project remains valuable and viable. We are seeking supporting partners to enable small project funds to First Nations students to effectively carry out their school-community projects under the virtual twinning project.
We have the infrastructure in place but we do require individual school-community project funding in the amounts of $500 or $750 per school. This funding enables First Nations students, and others, to do the best they can with their project development and implementation, and achieve what they set out to share with others.
Yes (answer the next two questions)