The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) elementary teachers recently took part in professional development focused on the Biinaagami Giant Floor Map, an innovative resource that brings Indigenous knowledge and watershed education to life in the classroom.

The Biinaagami Giant Floor Map is an immersive learning tool that invites students to step into the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence watershed through an Indigenous perspective. The map features augmented reality (AR) storytelling, helping students explore beyond the water’s edge while supporting deeper learning. It also includes comprehensive, cross-curricular teacher supports, with 10 ready-to-use lesson plans available in both French and English, along with additional learning materials.

The map accommodates both classrooms and gymnasium spaces. Eighteen elementary schools across CDSBEO now have access, supporting educators as they guide students through connected waterways and deepen their understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing and environmental stewardship.

This initiative reflects CDSBEO’s continued commitment to Indigenous education, reconciliation, and environmental stewardship in our schools.