Aboriginal Education Outreach Program

Promoting and Fostering better understanding of Aboriginal Culture.

The Aboriginal Education Outreach Program (AEOP) is an interactive project that has been set up to promote and foster a greater understanding of Native People in North America and their distinct cultures. Through the AEOP students are exposed to the teachings and traditions of Indigenous Nations: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. The Program ensures that students get relevant information and a thorough understanding of Native culture and an up close, in person lesson that brings Native people out of the history books and into a contemporary context, moving away from common stereotypes and misconceptions.

The AEOP facilitated various educational workshops and presentations to daycares, schools, post-secondary institutes, Boy Scout and Girl Guide troupes, conferences, correctional facilities, business corporations and organizational gatherings across and outside of the Greater Toronto Area.

Funded by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, this initiative has achieved such a high level of success it is now beginning it’s 12th year of planned activity. Working with the support of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and community organizations such as the Dodem Kanonhsa’, Toronto Police Services, Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training and the Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit, the AEOP has been brought to thousands of adults and children.

Presentations

During presentations cultural educators present information about Indigenous People today. They talk about the issues and struggles of our communities and also display items which demonstrate contributions of Native Peoples throughout history. Each presentation takes about an hour and a half but can be shortened or lengthened in time. Presentations are specially customized to meet the needs of the audience, taking into consideration age, context and level of study. Everyone from kindergarten children to senior citizens will find something interesting and educational that they can relate to and enjoy.

Topics covered during a presentation may include:

  • Current issues of Indigenous communities
  • History and struggles of our communities
  • Misconceptions, racism and stereotypes
  • Residential schools
  • Treaties
  • Pow Wow song and dance
  • Understanding Aboriginal Culture
  • Day Care and After School Programs
  • Aboriginal Artist Expressions
  • Traditional Games
  • Contributions of Indigenous People to today’s society
  • Teachings and construction of the Medicine Wheel

Please take our survey for the AEOP, please follow this link.

Presentation Booking Forms: can be found here.

If you are interested in becoming a AEOP Educator please email for more information.

*At presentations we are frequently asked for additional resources that teachers and students may use to learn more about Indigenous Peoples. We feel that it is very important to consider the author of any website or book that you are using; the author carries with them a specific worldview according to their communal and personal history, so we must remember to keep that in mind.

Cultural and Traditional Resources

Educational Resources

The Toronto Public Library Spadina Road location at 10 Spadina and the North York Libraray have excellent Native Peoples Resource Collections at their locations.