Teach For Canada-Gakinaamaage’s mission to bridge Canada’s education gap

Study after study shows that Canada’s education system is one of the best in the world. These success stories however mask a truth of deep inequality affecting First Nation reserves and remote communities.

On reserves, three in five students fail to complete high school, and remote areas struggle with teacher recruitment and retention.

Teach For Canada-Gakinaamaage steps into this educational gap by collaborating with remote Nations to recruit dedicated teachers, offering community-focused training, and providing comprehensive support. The organization invests in local educators to increase the number of certified teachers in remote schools, aiming for a future where every student, regardless of their location, can achieve their goals.

Funding from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) will be used to invest in skills development for local educators, including teacher assistants, school leadership, and administration, along with capacity building for education leaders across 20 Ontario First Nations. This will create local talent pools and strengthen northern education systems, benefiting over 4,300 students from kindergarten to grade 12. The funding will cover salaries, overhead, and associated project costs.

Teach For Canada-Gakinaamaage has already made significant progress, collaborating with 26 First Nations Community Partners in Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Beyond immediate impacts, the organization engages in advocacy efforts, addressing the root causes of educational inequality in Indigenous communities. Through these efforts, Teach For Canada-Gakinaamaage is shaping a brighter future for Indigenous students, fostering a more inclusive and equitable education system.

Archdiocese of Toronto