More Than Bodies

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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On Thursday, May 28th MORE THAN BODIES will explore the poetic, political and human

elements of migrant labour, bringing together writers, activists and passionate Canadians in

support of Frontier College’s century-old Labourer-Teacher program.

Tacking against the wind of conventional political wisdom, this event will celebrate the

contributions of agricultural migrant labourers to Canadian society while also reigniting and

raising funds for the work done by Frontier College to educate and empower foreign workers.

The evening will feature a conversation between award-winning poet Maureen Hynes and

novelist Elizabeth Ruth about agriculture, migrant labour and the poetic side of living far from

home. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on stellar silent auction items from House of

Anansi Press, photographer Vincenzo Pietropaolo and many more—all in support of Frontier

College and the Labourer-Teacher program.

Elizabeth Ruth is the author of three critically acclaimed novels and named by CBC as one of

ten ‘must read’ Canadian women. Maureen Hynes is the author of three books of poetry and

poetry editor of Our Times magazine.

FRONTIER COLLEGE LABOURER-TEACHER PROGRAM

For 115 years, Frontier College has been sending young Canadians to demanding teaching

environments to work alongside some of the most marginalized people in the country. From the

railroad frontier to lumber camps and gold mines, Labourer-Teachers have developed muscle,

perspective and character. Labouring with these isolated workers by day and endeavouring to

teach them basic literacy skills by night, the program has played a formative role in expanding

the horizons of many young Canadians.

It has also produced some of the most conscientious and activist of Canadians, like medical

innovator and international revolutionary Norman Bethune, Ontario premier David Peterson and

visionary parliamentarian Svend Robinson. Over many decades, more than 5,000 LTs have

served over 50,000 learners, with focus turning to migrant labour in the mid-1990s.

Despite increasing numbers of learners in recent years, program funding has been cancelled by

the government of Ontario on a geographical technicality. Frontier College has had little choice

but to shutter the century-old program for the foreseeable future.

MORE THAN BODIES is a fundraising event for Frontier College’s literacy work with migrant

workers and part of the effort of Frontier College alumni to rekindle the Labourer-Teacher

program for generations to come. Event will kick off at 7:00pm at the Women’s Art Association

of Canada, 23 Prince Arthur Avenue in Toronto.

For more information or to reserve tickets, contact morethanbodies@gmail.com or call Ed

Dunsworth at 647-269-5263.

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