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OTF Connects: 25 Things Every Teacher Should Know to Support the Success of First Nations Students

November 28, 2023 to November 28, 2023

  • Category: Online, Webinar, Workshop
  • Region: Central Ontario, Eastern Ontario, GTA, Northern Ontario, Outside Ontario, Southern Ontario
  • Topic: Indigenous Education, Native Languages, Native Studies, Other, Professional Issues, Safe Schools, Teacher Development
  • Grades: Intermediate (grades 7-10), JK-SK, Junior (grades 4-6), Primary (grades 1-3), Senior (grades 11-12)

In this webinar, Elder Deb St. Amant will discuss tried and true ideas that will help with Indigenous student engagement and success in the classroom. As Deb likes to say, “First Nations, Métis, and Inuit student success is success for all.”

Deb St. Amant (Bezhig Waabshke Ma’iingan Gewetigaabo) is an Anishinaabe Elder and currently serves as the Elder in Residence in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University. Her father was Métis and her mother is Ojibwe. Deb became a teacher in 1982, and was involved in Federation work throughout the course of her teaching career, first as a member of the Federation of Women Teachers’ Associations of Ontario (FWTAO) and later as a member of ETFO. Deb retired from teaching in 2012 but still enjoys guest speaking about Indigenous issues and other equity themes. In 2014, she wrote a book aimed at teacher candidates, titled First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Success. She continues to work in the education community and Kingston area community offering teaching circles, healing circles, ceremonies, and cultural teachings. She also promotes language learning as an organizer of the Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest. Deb has worked with OTF and COPA to produce numerous resources for teachers about Indigenous Education. She continues to support OTF with her vast wisdom, life experience and knowledge of Indigenous cultures and teachings.