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REPORT TO THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING ON 

ETFO’S EQUITY AND WOMEN’S PROGRAMS

A teacher curriculum resource was sent out to all schools in Ontario that included short stories to 
spark creative discussion and critical thinking between students and their teachers about why some 
are excluded, or withdraw from, organized sport. The stories for primary, junior and intermediate 
grades explored themes including gender bias, 
inclusion of people with disabilities, ethnicity and 
culture, choice and family pressure, bullying and 
LGBTQ stereotypes.

Included in the resource was a cardboard 
panel or “brick” which students decorated and 
expressed ideas to make sports and recreation 
more inclusive for all. Each school returned their 
decorated brick to ETFO. Two recognized and 
extremely creative visual artists created an art 
installation, using the panels, on display at the 
Toronto 2015 Games.

SPIRIT HORSE 

Supported by the Inclusive Education Branch of the Ministry of Education, ETFO sponsored a tour 
of the play Spirit Horse throughout southern Ontario in the spring of 2015, in partnership with 
Roseneath Theatre. The official launch of Spirit Horse took place at the Faculty of Education at Western 
University in March 2015. The play was performed in schools and various Faculties of Education 
throughout southern Ontario. ETFO members teaching grades 4-8 attended the performance with 
their students and were provided an opportunity to participate in an ETFO Spirit Horse Professional 
Development.

As part of this partnership, ETFO compiled resources and provided training to 23 Spirit Horse
Aboriginal education leaders. In February 2015, the leaders attended a reading of Spirit Horse and 
participated in a two-day training session at the ETFO Provincial office. For many of the members, 
this was their first time participating in an ETFO 
event. Fifteen of the members self-identified as 
Aboriginal. All were preparing to deliver full-day 
workshops on Spirit Horse and FNMI issues in 
their local, for ETFO teachers who had seen a 
performance of the play. The training included 
presentations from ETFO staff on teachable 
moments from the play, residential school 
impacts and addressing stereotypes. Sixteen 
Aboriginal Education Leaders also shared FNMI 
education best practices and teaching strategies 
through learning carousels.

A webcast was developed by ETFO Staff for junior/intermediate teachers that attended the Spirit Horse 
performance. The webcast highlighted FNMI resources on the Spirit Horse website and provided pre- 
and post-show teaching strategies.

Photos: Moe Laverty

Dr. Duke Redbird and Rachel Mishenene