Supporting First Nations Education
December 6, 2010
Hi. I’m Sam Hammond, President of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.
One of ETFO’s key priorities is to promote social justice and equity.
As teachers, we want to ensure all children have the opportunity to grow, learn and reach their full potential--regardless of where they live in Ontario.
Tragically, many Aboriginal children living in fly-in communities don’t have the schools or educational resources the rest of us take for granted.
Children of the Nishnawbe Aski First Nation face tremendous isolation in Northern Ontario. Grand Chief Stan Beardy has told us these children desperately need high quality education to provide them with hope for their futures.
The Federal Government is not fulfilling its obligation to provide adequate funds for the schools these children need. There are 60 First Nations communities across the country waiting for schools to be built.
For 10 years, Attawapiskat has been fighting for a new school since a massive oil spill forced them into portables. They have no library, no gym, no hallways. For these children, this is their only experience of school.
Shannen Koostachin at 11 years old knew that wasn't right. For four years she fought to have a school built in her community. Sadly, Shannen was killed in a car accident on May 31st, and didn’t live to see her dream realized.
In August, I visited Cat Lake with Her Honour Ruth Anne Onley, wife of Lieutenant Governor David Onley. We met young children attending the Lieutenant Governor’s Summer Literacy Camp.
They were attending the camp in a makeshift school because their elementary school had been destroyed by fire two years earlier. Their parents have no idea when a new school will be built.
As teachers, we know all children have the fundamental right to an education. That’s why ETFO is supporting Shannen’s Dream – a campaign for a new school in Attawapiskat and equitable funding for First Nations Education.
As teachers, we want all children to learn to read, to have a book they can call their own, and programs that encourage reading and foster a sense of imagination.
That’s why ETFO is proud to sponsor the Lieutenant Governor’s Literacy Initiatives - Summer Reading Camps and the Club Amik Book Club.
I am asking you to support these important initiatives.
Our website has links to Shannen’s Dream so you can get more information and show your support.
And find out more about the Lieutenant Governor’s Literacy Initiatives on his website.
Never underestimate the difference we can make when we work together. The Aboriginal children living in this province deserve no less.