Decolonizing Educational Environments in Ottawa-Gatineau

07/15/2025

This is an excellent intro video on racist names in Canada, and how they are changing now. Could the Black settler that died in Gatineau be Oxford London, one of the five first settlers who came from Massachusetts to settle with Philemon Wright? Or was it one of his sons? Needless to say, the proposed narrative that the “N-word” was acceptable at that time (1800s) is completely false, and the river’s naming of the N-word is an example of racism brought into Ottawa/Gatineau when the British settled in the region. LTtheMonk

06/13/2025

I truly loved my graduate experience at Queen’s ♥️

Hear from WISE student Alicia Cuzner, and find out about her dedication to educating about the past and ensuring the future is brighter.

Why WISE? Our World Indigenous Studies in Education (WISE) program offers a unique path to a Masters degree through blended format (online and on-campus).

Learn more about Alicia's experience - https://bit.ly/3FAHe0c

06/11/2025

06/07/2025

Season 4 Episode 2 of "A Brighter Future, Powered by Ontario Virtual School" Getting Ready for Post Secondary & Queen's Faculty

I don't usually share my podcast episodes, but I really liked this one I did with Professor Jennifer Davis at Queen's University and felt it needed to be shared! This episode also breaks the typical format I follow, where I talk about learning strategies for the first half and interview a college or university in the second half - and is all Jennifer's wise words.

Give it a listen and share with anyone you know entering college or university in the fall.

In this episode, podcast host and Ontario Virtual School teacher, Alicia Cuzner, will discuss strategies that students can use when entering post secondary schools. Joining her this episode is Professor Jennifer Davis, from Queen’s University. Since 2010, Dr. Davis has been a Professor with the Faculty of Education and currently works as a student success coordinator for the World Indigenous Studies in Education (WISE) program. This episode explores the common trends that Dr. Davis has seen when teaching her first-year students, as well as appropriate ways to incorporate AI into learning. For more school resources, please visit www.OntarioVirtualSchool.ca or check us out on all platforms by searching @ Ontario Virtual School

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1901692/episodes/17207034

In this episode, podcast host and Ontario Virtual School teacher, Alicia Cuzner, will discuss strategies that students who are graduating from high school can use when entering post secondary schools. Joining her this episode is Professor Jennifer...

05/10/2025

In Ottawa, and across Ontario, public schools receive funding for specialized teachers to support classes with First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis students. Sadly, the salaries for those teachers are minimum wage at the OCDSB– but Jordan Principle teachers work regardless of the low pay because community comes first! As more awareness builds, so will funding and support.

From the OFIFC: Today is , which honours Jordan River Anderson and his family for the gift of .

Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle and legal rule that ensures Indigenous children get the services they need when they need them. It was established to honour the memory of Jordan River Anderson, a First Nations child from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, who was born with complex medical needs. Despite being medically cleared to go home, Jordan spent over two years in the hospital while the province of Manitoba and the federal government argued over who should cover the cost of his care. Sadly, in 2005, Jordan passed away at the age of five from not receiving the care he needed.

The and Friendship Centres support the full implementation of Jordan's Principle as a legal framework and principle to ensure that Indigenous children are given the same medical treatment options as any other child living in the province.

Please support by learning and “bear witness” to Jordan’s Principle by posting your teddy bears or stuffed-animal friends on socials today and tagging the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres - OFIFC 💙

Today is , which honours Jordan River Anderson and his family for the gift of .

Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle and legal rule that ensures Indigenous children and youth get the services they need when they need them. It was established to honour the memory of Jordan River Anderson, a First Nations child from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, who was born with complex medical needs. Despite being medically cleared to go home, Jordan spent over two years in the hospital while the province of Manitoba and the federal government argued over who should cover the cost of his care. Sadly, in 2005, Jordan passed away at the age of five.

The and Friendship Centres support the full implementation of Jordan's Principle as a legal framework and principle to ensure that Indigenous children are given the same medical treatment options as any other child living in the province.

We invite you to show support and “bear witness” to Jordan’s Principle by posting your teddy bears or stuffed-animal friends on socials today.

05/09/2025

Tuesday was a wild night for the OCDSB. Here’s the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly summary notes:

The Good: Special Ed Classroom Cuts- proposal DENIED! 🎉🍾🥳
* This is excellent news. The Board was trying to cut 36 spec Ed classrooms (almost all of them- keeping 3). This would have then forced all LD kids into regular classrooms. The result would be increased drop out rates for sure…. So I’m more than relieved.
* Thank you to all the Trustees- especially Lyra Evans of Rideau-Vanier-Rockcliffe - for battling this out for countless hours. We appreciate you! ♥️

The Bad: Boundary & French Immersion Changes:
* Trustees had a split vote in favour to allow boundary change exemptions for anyone who is eligible and wants one — as long as the program exists, if there are spaces available and if the exemption does not affect the viability of programs at both the receiving school and the sending school….
* 5 single-track English schools will remain (14 currently)
* 6 single-track French immersion schools will stay (15 currently).
* There are concerns about the viability of the new dual-track programs - if there’s no one available to teach the program then the exemptions will not be available.
* This decision is solely based on the goal of streamlining schools for management efficiency… Not for student success. The Board has faced a ton of budget cuts plus they are being investigated for financial mismanagement. Regardlessess of the pressing issue of finance, students should always come first. 

The Ugly: Dissolving Alternative School Programming - decision next Tuesday:
* On the table - This September, the 5 alternative schools will begin to transition to community schools.
* Why this would be a stupid idea: It solves NOTHING and causes more problems- By the board’s own numbers, 37% of students in alternative schools have been identified as having special needs AND alternative schools don’t cost any more money than mainstream classrooms. Fact.

Trustee Amanda Presle advocating for saving Alternative Ed:
* “Alternative is not just another stream, it’s a proven student-centred, inquiry-based model that works.”
* “This program is not a boutique option, it’s a frontline equity intervention. Cancelling it would send a devastating message to the very students our strategic goals are meant to serve. Some may argue that the program is costly, but the facts tell a different story.”

I encourage everyone to attend the protest with me next Tuesday at the OCDSB at 133 Greenbank Rd.

10/06/2024

Would you like to give back to the community?

Become a volunteer for the Odawa Food Pantry!

The Odawa Food Pantry operates every second Wednesday, but help is needed the day before to unload and organize the food.

We need volunteers to help for 3 to 5 hours on each of those days.

You will be greeting the public, preparing and packing goods and some light cleaning.

A truly rewarding opportunity!

Email Gabriel at [email protected] to apply to become a volunteer or for more details.