TORONTO – The Government of Ontario, TakingITGlobal and Cisco Canada announced Friday the renewal of provincial funding for the Connected North interactive education program in 55 schools in Indigenous communities for the 2023-24 school year, bringing Ontario’s total investment to nearly $2 million in two years.
The announcement was made during a virtual event at J.W. Walker School in Fort Frances, Ont., which included a Connected North session to demonstrate the impact of the program on remote Indigenous communities across Ontario. Minister of Education Stephen Lecce and Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford participated in the session.
The renewed funding will continue to deliver virtual learning sessions for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 in remote Indigenous communities, reinforcing the Ontario government’s commitment to fostering digital equity for all students in the province, says a press release.
Founded by Cisco Canada, and managed by TakingITGlobal, “Connected North leverages Cisco networking, security and collaboration technology to connect students and teachers in remote communities to live, interactive virtual learning experiences,” the release reads.
“The innovative program not only brings state-of-the-art and secure technology to classrooms but also offers a comprehensive virtual curriculum developed in collaboration with schools and communities, that is rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and learning,” the release says.
“At Cisco, we are committed to fostering digital equity and inclusion. We firmly believe that all Canadians should have access to the opportunities needed to unlock their full potential,” said Cisco Canada president Shannon Leininger, in the release. “We are incredibly proud of Connected North’s positive impact on students. This partnership with the Government of Ontario and TakingITGlobal strengthens our dedication to fulfilling this vital mission and together we are on the road to create even greater impact in the communities that need it the most.”
“With this funding agreement, the Government of Ontario has made a strong and positive commitment to helping students in the remote north realize their potential,” said Michael Furdyk, director of innovation at TakingITGlobal and Connected North. “We are excited that they share our vision to ensure that students in the north have access to the same resources as students in the south.”
The Connected North program currently serves 35,000 students in 150 schools in northern communities across Canada and offers more than 2,000 unique virtual learning experiences for students and teachers. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in October, Connected North is committed to growing its footprint and doubling the number of schools served to 300 by 2030, according to the press release.
“The success of this program is made possible through continued support from corporate partners, government partners, foundations and private donors to ensure students in remote and Indigenous communities have resources they need to thrive,” the release says.
Photo courtesy of the Connected Nation website.
