CTF Survey on Teachers' Perspectives on Aboriginal Education in Public Schools in Canada - Summary Report

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret

A summary report presents findings from a CTF survey examining teachers’ awareness, incorporation, and delivery of Aboriginal education in Canadian public schools. It quantifies responses on issues taught in schools, current teaching practices, and frequency of instruction. It also reports how Aboriginal education is introduced, perceived representation of Aboriginal culture, methods for providing cultural aspects, resource sufficiency, teachers’ knowledge levels, and interest in further knowledge.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages34

Reading Time1 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Status of Aboriginal Education in your School/Curriculum

Awareness of Aboriginal issues, content, or perspectives

Teaching practices and incorporation

Frequency of teaching

Curriculum approaches used

Representation of Aboriginal culture

Methods to provide Aboriginal culture and knowledge

Resources available for Aboriginal education

Knowledge of Aboriginal people

Knowledge and learning needs on Aboriginal issues

CTF Survey on Teachers' Perspectives on Aboriginal Education in Public Schools in Canada Summary Report Status of Aboriginal Education in your School/Curriculum Are you aware of any issues, content or perspectives being taught at your school that are related to Aboriginal people? No 16% Percent Count | Yes | 75% |
| 1,407 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | No | 16% |
| 294 | | Don't Know | 10% |
| 180 | | | | Total | 1,881 | In your current teaching practice, do you incorporate any issues, content or perspectives that are related to Aboriginal people? No 21% Yes 65% Percent Count | Yes | 65% |
| 1,230 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | No | 21% |
| 397 | | Not applicable | 14% |
| 254 | | | | Total | 1,881 | How frequently do you teach them? Percent Count | Regularly | 34% |
| 412 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Occasionally | 51% |
| 632 | | Rarely | 15% |
| 186 | | | | Total | 1,230 | Which of the following approaches are currently being used to introduce Aboriginal education into the curriculum in your school? (check all that apply) 100 75 50 25 0 76% | 20% | | | | 30% | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14%
| 12% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Course/class dedicated to Aboriginal education Integrated within courses such as Cultural Studies, History or Geography Culturally appropriate days/weeks that incorporateselected themes into overall curriculum Other None of the above Percent Count | Course/class dedicated to Aboriginal education | 20% |
| 381 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Integrated within courses such as Cultural Studies, History or Geography | 76% |
| 1,422 | | Culturally appropriate days/weeks that incorporateselected themes into overall curriculum | 30% |
| 572 | | Other | 14% |
| 257 | | None of the above | 12% |
| 221 | | | | Total | 1,881 | Indicate the extent to which you feel Aboriginal culture is represented in your school curriculum. Very Little 36% Don't know 5% Not at all 6% Significantly 13% Somewhat 41% Percent Count | Significantly | 13% |
| 253 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Somewhat | 41% |
| 762 | | Very Little | 36% |
| 668 | | Not at all | 6% |
| 109 | | Don't know | 5% |
| 89 | | | | Total | 1,881 | Which of the following methods are used in your school to provide or include the following aspects of Aboriginal culture and knowledge? (check all that apply) | | Aboriginal speakers | Knowledge keepers/Storytellers | Displaying Aboriginal Art | Library materials | Other | None | Responses | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Indigenous cultural activities | 720
38% | 544
29% | 821
44% | 1,193
63% | 237
13% | 351
19% | 1,881 | | Indigenous languages | 344
18% | 253
13% | 265
14% | 584
31% | 192
10% | 975
52% | 1,881 | | Indigenous education | 513
27% | 431
23% | 448
24% | 925
49% | 237
13% | 624
33% | 1,881 | | Indigenous spirituality | 461
25% | 425
23% | 421
22% | 796
42% | 267
14% | 599
32% | 1,881 | | Indigenous kinship/social organization | 349
19% | 308
16% | 243
13% | 704
37% | 267
14% | 771
41% | 1,881 | | Indigenous lands | 336
18% | 260
14% | 212
11% | 867
46% | 294
16% | 699
37% | 1,881 | | Indigenous governance structures | 236
13% | 193
10% | 116
6% | 689
37% | 269
14% | 898
48% | 1,881 | | Indigenous economic systems | 173
9% | 144
8% | 92
5% | 581
31% | 231
12% | 1,042
55% | 1,881 | Resources Available for Aboriginal Education Please indicate how sufficient you believe each of the following resources in your school is as it pertains to integrating Aboriginal content and perspectives into the curriculum: | | Entirely sufficien

FAQs

How many teachers are aware of Aboriginal issues or perspectives taught at their school?

The survey shows 75% of teachers answered “Yes” and 16% answered “No,” with 10% selecting “Don’t Know.”

Do teachers incorporate Aboriginal issues, content, or perspectives in their current teaching practice?

Yes, 65% of respondents incorporate Aboriginal issues, while 21% do not. An additional 14% indicated “Not applicable.”

What approaches are used to introduce Aboriginal education into the curriculum?

Most teachers use integrated approaches within courses such as Cultural Studies, History, or Geography (76%). Course/class dedicated to Aboriginal education is reported by 20%, culturally appropriate days/weeks by 30%, and 14% select “Other,” with 12% choosing “None of the above.”

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Margaret