The project involved working with First Nations learners, families, educators, and community representatives across Ontario to understand the strengths, challenges, and supports that shape educational transitions. Early in the project, it became clear that having a clear sense of the geographic and demographic landscape was essential. Ontario’s First Nations communities vary widely in size, distance, and regional realities, all of which influence how educational supports are planned and delivered. The student transitions hub was created to bring together tools and resources that help make this context easier to understand.

As part of preparing for the research and building the hub, our team created an interactive map to support our understanding of the broader landscape. Before beginning data collection, we needed a way to see where communities are located across the province and to understand their approximate on-reserve populations. Mapping this information helped us situate the work, giving a clearer picture of regional diversity, scale, and the distances learners often navigate. Sharing the map here offers that same visual reference to others, especially those who find maps helpful for understanding context at a glance.