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Anti-Black Racism
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Anti-Black Racism

In declaring the International Decade for People of African Descent from 2015-Black and yellow logo celebrating the First and Second International Decades for People of African Descent.2024, the United Nations (UN) recognized "that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected." A second International decade was declared from 2025 to 2034.

 

ETFO is a union committed to social justice, equity and inclusion. Given the legacy and current prevalence of anti-Black racism in colonial systems, institutions and society that groups like Black Live Matters have brought to light, ETFO is committed to creating policies, professional learning and curriculum resources that protect and support the equality and rights of Black people. Public advocacy is also an important aspect of ETFO's work in this area. 

 

At the October 2025 Executive meeting the following motion was passed:  That 2025 Annual Meeting motion (6-10 / 7-1), AMR 69, re that in recognition of the second International Decade for People of African Descent, ETFO's work on anti-Black racism include: 

 

  • The celebration of Black excellence and joy. 
  • A recognition of the additional impact of the intersectional identities of Black members within professional learning and training activities.  
  • A study of how the participation of Black members is additionally impacted by intersectional identities and take action to address barriers.  
  • Support to locals to create action plans to increase the representation of Black members within local leadership.  
  • A commitment to expanding the Black narrative to include the diverse experiences of individuals.  
  • Discover, monitor, and address the barriers related to the intersectional identity of Black members.  
  • A new position starting September 2025 for an executive assistant who self-identifies as Black, to develop and implement the ETFO anti-Black racism strategy and portfolio.  
  • Ensure the effectiveness of ETFO’s anti-Black racism strategy by reassessing, revising, and renewing the strategy on a regular basis,  

Following the passing of that motion, ETFO provincial has engaged in several actions including hosting a townhall for Black delegates of the 2025 Annual Meeting and leading small group discussions at the October Rep Council. As part of the implementation of this motion, five new Black focused programs were launched in 2025-26 including:  


  • Empower Mentorship Program for Black Members 
  • Mapping the Way: The Nuts' n Bolts of Addressing Anti-Black Racism 
  • Protecting Your Peace WP 
  • Code Black Leadership Program: Part 2 
  • Leadership Forum for Black Women Members (WP): Part 2

ETFO will continue to develop curriculum resources that explore Black history, culture, identity and current day realities of racism and discrimination in a respectful and reflective manner and that celebrate the contributions of Black Canadians to our country


ETFO Action on Anti-Black Racism - Building an Inclusive School Workplace and Union


ETFO’s Anti-Black Racism Strategy is focused on creating systemic changes to confront anti-Black racism and provide a more welcoming and inclusive union environment for Black members at provincial and local levels. Given the legacy and current prevalence of anti-Black racism in colonial systems, institutions and society, ETFO Action on Anti-Black Racism -  Building an Inclusive School Workplace and Union brochure provides information on what anti-Black racism is, ETFO’s anti-Black racism strategy and how to be an ally.

Brochure: ETFO Action on Anti-Black Racism - Building an Inclusive School Workplace and Union

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  • United Nations Website: International Decade for People of African Descent. This site features resources and materials that include historical information, relevant UN documents and videos that may be age-appropriate for upper elementary grades.
  • The Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Dreams Delayed Report on Addressing Anti-Black Racism. This site provides the link to download the OHRC’s report on Addressing Anti-Black Racism in Education which specifically addresses issues and recommendations for specific stakeholders in the education system.
  • Government of Canada Website. This site explores the ways in which the federal government is taking steps to address anti-Black racism including officially recognizing the second decade for People of African descent from 2025 to 2034.
  • ETFO's 365 Black Canadian Curriculum. This curriculum is part of a compilation of equity resources for elementary educators which support Black Canadian history in Ontario schools on a daily basis.
  • ETFO's Black Canadian Calendar. The individuals represented on the calendar offer a glimpse into the historical and contemporary political and societal realities faced by Black Canadians. It is both a celebration and acknowledgement of a fraction of the contributions and impact Black Canadians have had to help shape Canada to be the nation it is today.
  • Black History Month - February. Black History Month exists to remind us all of the rich contributions within our society from people of African and Caribbean decent, and of their ongoing struggle for equity and social justice. ETFO encourages the focus on Black history all year as an integral part of learning about Canadian history and current issues. The web page features resources, events and helpful websites in support of teaching and learning about African Canadian issues.
  • Black Canadian Calendar 
  • Generation Black: Public Symposium This symposium addressed the urgency for recruiting Black teachers and the necessity for retaining Black educators to improve the representation of Black people in education.
     
ETFO members can log into ETFO Secure for more information on workshops in their locals.
  • Name It: Understanding Anti-Black Racism in Ontario Education
    Using an anti-oppressive framework and a historical approach to explore anti-Black racism within a Canadian educational context, participants will explore how anti-Black racism is interwoven into the fabric of our education system and society at large through case studies, deconstruction of key terminologies, personal reflections, statistics, and data.
  • Race Matters – The Early Years: Teaching Students to be Race-Conscious NEW
    Based on the new classroom resource, Race Matters – The Early Years: Teaching Students to be Race-Conscious, this workshop was developed to address race, racism, and anti-Black racism with children in kindergarten classrooms. Educators will reflect on how to embed conversations about race into everyday practice through themes such as microaggressions, self-advocacy, allyship, and connection to community. Participants will leave with an understanding of the curriculum resource, hands-on experience with implementing a lesson from the resource, and access to the resource.
  • Race Matters. Teaching Students to be race conscious
    This practical workshop introduces participants to ETFO’s Race Matters curriculum resource, which provides resources and supports for teachers to deliver Primary, Junior, and Intermediate curriculum that examines race, racism, and anti-Black racism through age-appropriate content. Teachers will explore how to use collaboration, an anti-oppressive lens, and anti-racist pedagogy to deliver lessons that provoke critical thinking and meaningful dialogue and address anti-Black racism.
  • Unlearn. Relearn. How Colonization Impacts Your Practice
    Using an anti-racist, anti-Black racism lens within an anti-oppressive framework, this workshop focuses on the impact that colonization has had on education through the discussion of three main themes: colonization, reflections on practice, and classroom practice and strategies. Participants will come away with a better understanding of the impact of colonization on the classroom and the processes for disrupting colonial practices within their own teaching.