The Opportunity

In 2023, the Rideau Hall Foundation wanted to highlight the launch of the Indigenous Teacher Shortage Program, which aims to address the significant underrepresentation of Indigenous educators in Canada’s education system.

Our Approach

The Walrus Lab creates custom content in both print and digital formats, crafting engaging stories for clients in a visually appealing and authentic manner. The content can be tailored to various lengths and is seamlessly integrated into The Walrus magazine and website for maximum reader impact. We highlight our clients’ success stories and key messages, ensuring their priorities shine through effectively.

What we did

For this project, we produced the article “Finding the Knowledge Keepers: The Indigenous Teacher Shortage” for print and digital publication.

The article highlights the pressing issue of Indigenous educator underrepresentation in Canada and the systemic barriers that contribute to this problem. It underscores the transformative role of Indigenous teachers within their communities and stresses the need for reforms in the education system. The piece also showcases community-driven initiatives and partnerships aimed at increasing the number of Indigenous teachers, and pushes for meaningful change that benefits both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners alike.

Recognizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives, we collaborated with storyteller and editor Cara McKenna, who is of Cree-Métis descent and specializes in Indigenous reporting. To help bring the story to life visually, Jessie Boulard, a Canadian non-status Indigenous artist of Anishinaabe mixed-blood heritage, created the original artwork. Boulard’s pieces vividly illustrate Anishinaabe storytelling traditions, adding depth and richness to the story.

Results