First Nations students get laptops
TORONTO – Eighty students of First Nations School of Toronto have received laptops as part of the National pilot program One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Canada.
A program of The Belinda Stronach Foundation, OLPC Canada strives to empower Aboriginal youth to play an active role in their own education through access to learning-centered technology. Canada’s first National One Laptop per Child program, OLPC Canada with support from Vale, the Bank of Montreal Financial Group and the Government of Ontario has provided 3600 laptops to Aboriginal youth 6-12 years of age in rural, remote and urban communities located in 7 provinces and 2 territories. First Nations School is the first educational institution to participate in the program within the Greater Toronto Area.
“Teaching and learning today must incorporate 21st Century knowledge, global perspectives, learning skills, resources and technology,” said Lisa Zwicker, Principal of First Nations School of Toronto. “ Many of our students do not have access to technology in the home. Participating in this program will provide all of our students with the opportunity to use technology to support their learning in an engaging, hands-on way, and to prepare them to be citizens of tomorrow.
The OLPC Canada initiative is modeled after the internationally successful One Laptop per Child program currently in place in more than 30 countries. This first of its kind program in Canada was designed in collaboration with Aboriginal leaders and students, education specialists and program experts from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, ParticipACTION, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Ekomini and Safe Kids Canada. This collaboration resulted in the development of eight customized programs designed specifically for Aboriginal youth.
“The Belinda Stronach Foundation is pleased to have partnered with the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council and First Nations School to enhance access to educational technology among Aboriginal youth in Toronto, the city with the largest population of Aboriginal peoples in Ontario,” said Jennifer Martino, Director of OLPC Canada.
Over 70,000 people in Toronto identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis.
For more information about OLPC Canada please visit www.olpccanada.com.