FORT FRANCES – JoAnne Formanek Gustafson has worked in various educational roles throughout her career as an educator, including educational assistant and college instructor. She currently works as an elementary school educator within the Rainy River region.
Formanek Gustafson’s impressive educational background includes an Expressive Arts Practitioner Certificate from the WHEAT Institute, Masters of Education from Lakehead University, Bachelor of General Studies from Athabasca University, and Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario Leadership & Collective Bargaining training.
"As an educator, I know that our communities need investment in our schools and our children,” said Formanek Gustafson. “During the pandemic, I saw that the Ford Conservatives refused to invest in keeping our kids and staff safe. And we know the Del Duca Liberals are not the answer. They closed schools across the province. Our communities deserve so much better than that. I am committed to making sure that Kenora-Rainy River gets the investments needed for schools, hospitals, and affordable housing. It's time to make life more affordable for families who are paying record-high prices in the Northwest. Together with the NDP, we will cover the costs of dental care, mental health care, and medications. Together we can fix what's broken, and we can invest in what matters most."
Her current work for the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario includes resource development, workshop development, and workshop facilitation. Formanek Gustafson plays a vital role as an Indigenous content advisor for provincial writing projects.
Although she still is a member of the Provincial Standing Committee for First Nation, Metis, & Inuit Education, Formanek Gustafsonn served as vice president of the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario’s Rainy River Occasional Teacher Union Local from 2016 to 2020. Other notable positions include: Status of Women chair, treasurer, chief negotiator, and Delegate to Labour Council
Formanek Gustafson is an anti-racism advocate who encourages people to adopt practices supporting and empowering people who experience oppression. She has spent a considerable amount of time educating her students and the general public on topics of anti-racism and Indigenous issues as a motivational speaker and a developer of virtual education programs that promote equality.
"JoAnne is exactly who we need on our NDP team. As an educator, she has fought for funding and support for our public schools after four years of cuts under the Ford conservatives. With JoAnne on our team, we'll help make life more affordable by regulating the price of gas, and we'll take action on our doctor shortage. The liberals and conservatives left our hospitals in the Northwest at risk of closing their emergency rooms because of a shortage of doctors and nurses. Together with JoAnne, we can invest in hiring doctors and nurses and start fixing what the liberals and conservatives broke," said Judith Monteith-Farrell, NDP MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan
Formanek Gustafson is a member of Couchiching First Nation, the community where her mother's family comes from; however, she grew up in Fort Frances, where she raised her family. Her community volunteer work involves working with the Fort Frances Badminton Club, Fort Frances Youth Soccer as a referee and coach, Cyclone Swim Club, led workshops about the Ojibwe language at the Fort Frances Public Library & Technology Centre, creating an "Orange Shirt Day" event at Fort Frances Public Library & Technology Centre, and volunteer work with Borderland Pride in 2019 and 2020.
