Educational Resources

Summary: The Chiefs of Ontario Education Portal Resource Database contains relevant information, reports, news releases, and other resource documents pertaining to Education in First Nations communities in Ontario.

Model Schools Literacy Project: Investing in Children

The Model Schools Literacy Project is a partnership between First Nations schools and communities across Canada and the Martin Family Initiative. It focuses on improving early literacy achievement within the broader context of school improvement. The goal is for 80% of children to read and write well enough at the end of Grade 3 to support continued school success.

Summary:  The Ministry of Education is pleased to support two not-for-profit organizations that promote youth financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career development opportunities.

Junior Achievement Canada (JAC) and the Martin Family Initiative (MFI) run programs that provide opportunities for students to learn about and develop skills in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, work readiness and career planning. The Martin Family’s Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program (AYEP) is specifically geared to First Nations, Métis and northern students in the province. “Preparing students for the workforce through professional development should be a key priority for our education system,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. “Thanks to both of these organizations, students can develop necessary skills that will lay the groundwork for a successful transition to their future career.”

Source: O’Sullivan, J.T. (2021) Model Schools Literacy Project: Investing in Children. Martin Family Initiative: Montreal, Canada https://themfi.ca/investing-in-children

Summary: First Nations want their children to know their own language and culture, be proud of their identity and have the literacy skills necessary to pursue unlimited options and opportunities for their lifetime. For over 10 years, First Nations schools have partnered with the Martin Family Initiative (MFI) to improve early literacy for their children. This report captures what we are learning together in the Model Schools Literacy Project (MSLP, or project), both since its expansion in 2016 and continuing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings are relevant to all those working to ensure First Nations children inherit their right to read, a critical tool to fully understand, question and influence the world around them.

The Model Schools Literacy Project is a partnership between First Nations schools and communities across Canada and the Martin Family Initiative. It focuses on improving early literacy achievement within the broader context of school improvement. The goal is for 80% of children to read and write well enough at the end of Grade 3 to support continued school success.

Summary: While Indigenous peoples account for about five per cent of our national population, Indigenous children under the age of 14 represent seven per cent of all children in the country. Youth represent nearly half of Canada’s Indigenous population.

When Paul Martin quit national politics he didn’t step away from the national policy scene or his interest in Indigenous education. The former prime minister founded the Martin Family Initiative (MFI); a charity that works with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation Peoples to improve education, health, and well-being outcomes for Indigenous children, youth, and adults.

MFI aims to support Indigenous students as they learn how to create successful careers. Its Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program introduces Indigenous high school students to business opportunities in the Canadian economy. It teaches students how to nurture their entrepreneurial spirit, improve their financial literacy and communication skills, and gives them an opportunity to explore a variety of post-secondary options.

Over 5,000 students have completed the program since its inception 11 years ago. Today, the course is being taught at 50 high schools on and off reserve. It is in such high demand that in 2019, MFI, acting on a request from the Assembly of First Nations Chiefs, launched an Indigenous Entrepreneur Course for adults, based on its high school program.

Source: Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen)

Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), the industry-led not-for-profit organization leading Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster, has announced a new collaboration with the Martin Family Initiative (MFI). The partnership will develop new resources and support services to complement an existing suite of Indigenous education and entrepreneurship programming administered by MFI.

NGen’s partnership with MFI is built on a shared vision for equity of opportunity for Indigenous Peoples across Canada. It leverages the scope and the reach of MFI’s Indigenous education programs, including early childhood education, literacy, entrepreneurship and mentoring, which are currently offered in 100 locations across 9 provinces and 2 territories and which have impacted over 8,000 students since 2008. NGen will work with the MFI to raise awareness about Canada’s manufacturing sector and provide guidance with respect to future career opportunities for Indigenous students.

“MFI is very proud to partner with NGen as it will create a variety of strategies for Indigenous students to learn about manufacturing and business”, Said The Right Honourable Paul Martin. “Manufacturing is a cornerstone of our modern economy. The sector relies on a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce that includes designers, researchers, programmers, engineers, technicians and tradespeople. MFI believes that this partnership provides a tremendous opportunity for Indigenous People to contribute to the Canadian economy.”

Summary: The First Nation announced on February 18 that is had joined the Model Schools Literacy Project, part of the Martin Family Initiative.

Kindergarten to Grade 3 students at Bernard Constant School on the James Smith Cree Nation will be part of a new literacy project.