Photo: Ruth Kivilahti

ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO

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Advancing Education and Equity

FNMI members may face in the workplace, as well 
as strategies for supporting them. Information 
was included from the Canadian Teachers’ 
Federation (CTF) research document, “A Study on 
Aboriginal Teachers’ Professional Knowledge and 
Experience in Canadian Schools.” Areas of inquiry 
in the study were shared and discussed during 
the webinar including: philosophy of education; 
integration of Aboriginal content and perspec-
tives into the curriculum; experiences of racism; 
and relationships with allies. 

Other FNMI professional development initiatives 
appear on page 33.

Spirit Horse Southern Ontario Tour

In March, ETFO launched a southern Ontario tour 
of the play Spirit Horse, igniting imaginations and 
studies in First Nations, Métis and Inuit diversity, 
history and perspectives in public elementary 
schools.

Adapted by Ojibway playwright Drew Hayden 
Taylor, Spirit Horse is a powerful theatre pro-
duction that chronicles the adventures of two 
Aboriginal children who challenge cultural ste-
reotypes and confront racism. The play was per-
formed by Roseneath Theatre for Grades 4-8 stu-
dents in 75 communities as well as candidates at 
many faculties of education. Organized by ETFO 
with funding from the Ministry of Education, all 
performances were accompanied by online and 
face-to-face professional development/learning 
for public elementary teachers.

In total, the Spirit Horse performances reached 
24,048 students, 430 teachers, 207 schools and 
1,311 university students. Over 200 teachers 
attended the professional development/learning 
workshops.

Sixteen ETFO Spirit Horse Aboriginal education lead-
ers, over half of whom self-identified as Aboriginal, 
participated in a two-day training session to deliver 

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (centre) with Regional 
Chief Stan Beardy and members of the Spirit Horse cast.