First Nations Junior and Senior School of Toronto  (Gr JK - 08)

Lisa Zwicker

 
 
 
 

Celeste Mayers
 

Belinda Toulouse
Joyce Staniforth
 



935 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON
M4M1R4


416-393-0555

416-393-0552




Vision: To empower future leaders with a strong cultural identity to be contributing members in a global society.

In early 1970's, First Nations School began as Wandering Spirit Survival School founded by a group of Ojibway parents. In 1977 it was incorporated into the Toronto Board of Education and designated an alternative school.  In 1983, the school was recognized by the Board as a Cultural Survival School. and renamed First Nations School of Toronto.  It offers programs from JK to grade eight.

  • The school has an enrollment of approximately 95 students.
  • The school transports students from across the city, with the exception of Scarborough and Etobicoke.
  • Bussing is provided for JK to grade 5 students where eligible. TTC tickets are available for students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
  • The school facility has an Aboriginal Head Start Program.
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Honour Feather Society


First Nations School is open to enrollment for any students who wish to have an aboriginal focused education. As such, the school treats all students as members of it's aboriginal community. Everyone is part of the Honour Feather Society, which is a school wide initiative that acknowledges and celebrates the school successes of the students. Feathers are earned for accomplishment in the areas of Ojibway Language, academics, behaviour, attendance, and demonstration of the Seven Grandfathers Teachings.

Arts For Youth Partnership


Our school is participating in a 3 year partnership with Arts for Children and Youth in which we work with local Aboriginal artists on the completion of culminating projects in all areas of the Arts: music, drama, dance and visual art.  This year the students worked to create a large scale (12'x12'ft) mosaic medicine wheel mural that has been hung on the exterior North facing wall.  This medicine wheel represents the four directions, four seasons, four stages of life, and four animals that are the cornerstone of all of the teachings held within the Aboriginal way of life. 

Technology in the Classrooms


Many students learn best when they are able to see and touch, thus a 'hands on' experience is what we offer as much as possible in our classrooms. This is facilitated by the use of interactive White Boards and Smart Board technology that both teachers and students use daily.

Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back


The "Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back" is an art project funded by the Ontario Arts Council. An artist was invited to work with our students to teach traditional knowledge and language through the arts. A culminating art installation entitled Shkakmakwe, Mother Earth Keeper was created to be used as an interactive tool to support their learning.

Seven Grandfathers Teachings


 "Seven Grandfathers" teachings is a project that came out of a partnership with NCCT that compliments existing teachings in our Culture and Language classes. With a team of First Nations Mentors a wide selection of art activities took place such as, Big Drum Teachings, Indigenous Dance instruction, storytelling, mask making, ribbon skirt making, and much more.