COTTFN Education
Your Path to Learning Starts Here
Education Programs & Services
Providing high-quality education rooted in Anishinaabe culture, language, and traditions.
Admissions & Funding
Access information about enrollment, tuition support, and financial aid for students.
Walking Together in Lifelong Learning
At the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Board of Education, we honour the spirit of lifelong learning by supporting each learner on their unique path, from early childhood to post-secondary and beyond. Rooted in our ways of knowing and being, our programs nurture personal growth, cultural identity, and readiness for future opportunities. We are committed to walking alongside our students as they set and reach their goals, grounded in community, language, and tradition.
Programs & Services
We offer a range of educational opportunities to support our students’ success
Elementary Education – Antler River Elementary School
Antler River Elementary School welcomes students from Kindergarten through Grade 8, providing a supportive and enriching learning environment rooted in Anishinaabe values. Our school offers access to quality educational resources, culturally responsive supports, and holistic learning experiences that foster academic achievement, personal development, cultural identity, and a strong sense of community. COTTFN Education is committed to providing all members of our community with access to quality education, resources, and support to help them reach their goals. However, the reality is that our funding from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is limited, and for secondary students and elementary students, eligibility for support requires that you ordinarily reside on reserve.
Secondary Education
Through a formal service agreement with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), COTTFN Education ensures that our youth have access to quality secondary education. In recent years, students have also had the option to pursue their secondary studies through the Catholic school system, including enrollment at St. André Bessette Catholic Secondary School, expanding their educational choices and pathways for success. COTTFN Education is committed to providing all members of our community with access to quality education, resources, and support to help them reach their goals. However, the reality is that our funding from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is limited, and for secondary students and elementary students, eligibility for support requires that you ordinarily reside on reserve.
Post-Secondary and Lifelong Learning Program
The COTTFN Post-Secondary (PS) Program supports community members pursuing higher education and lifelong learning opportunities across Canada and the United States. This program provides financial support, guidance, and advocacy to help students achieve their academic and career goals while maintaining strong cultural and community connections.
Board of Education
The Chippewas of the Thames Board of Education ensures that education reflects Anishinaabe values, rights, and dignity. Working in partnership with Chief and Council, the Board oversees all aspects of the education system and is committed to lifelong learning that nurtures each child’s gifts while promoting culture, language, and identity, no matter where community members live.
FNWSC
The First Nations with Schools Collective (FNWSC) is a network of First Nations working together to strengthen First Nations education systems. It is community-driven, Nation-based, and rooted in the vision that First Nations must lead and control education for their children and communities.
Language and Culture at Antler River Elementary School (ARES)
The revitalization of Anishinaabemowin and the preservation of traditional knowledge is a cornerstone of programming at ARES. Through Anishinaabemowin instruction, land-based seasonal teachings, and community-led practices, students build meaningful connections to culture, identity, and place. These experiences strengthen intergenerational knowledge transfer and nurture pride in who they are and where they come from.
Our Commitment to Accessible Education
We strive to ensure that every member of our community has access to quality education, resources, and support to achieve their goals.
Community Education Philosophy (2001,2007,2011)
The Board of Education believes that the education system will provide every child with complete educational services so that the gifts of every child are developed in a manner that preserves the dignity and Anishinaabe rights of the families. Education must promote and enhance the culture, traditions, and lifestyles of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, no matter where they live. The Board of Education believes that education is a lifelong learning process.
