The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario is marking the start of Black History Month by reaffirming its commitment to celebrating Black excellence and addressing anti-Black racism in education and beyond.
In a news release issued Monday, the federation said Black history is central to Canada’s story. It emphasized the need for ongoing work to dismantle systemic racism, including within schools and institutions across Ontario.
The federation acknowledged that Black communities continue to face disproportionate barriers in areas such as education, health care and housing, noting that these inequities are often intensified for people with intersecting identities.
ETFO 2026 Black History Month Poster: We Didn’t Cross the Waters Alone. This year’s artist is Destinie Adelakun. (Credit: www.etfo.ca)
The federation said it is focused on implementing systemic changes to confront anti-Black racism and create a more inclusive environment for Black educators and students. It pointed to a range of educational resources available to teachers, including year-round classroom materials and Black History Month posters.
This year’s poster, titled “We Didn’t Cross the Waters Alone”, was created by multidisciplinary artist Destinie Adelakun.
It incorporates West African folklore alongside African Canadian history, according to the release.
The federation also announced it will award two Black Educator Bursaries to Black students entering their first year of a faculty of education in Ontario.
XFM News reached out to the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario for additional comment, but the organization was unavailable.
