George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Frances Sanderson, the past Chair of George Brown Polytechnic’s Indigenous Education Council (IEC). Sanderson was a leader whose work touched the lives of many across the city of Toronto and beyond, including George Brown students and employees.
As part of the George Brown community for more than two decades, she championed culturally relevant educational programs for Indigenous students, serving on our former Native Studies Steering Committee and later as Chair of the IEC. She was involved in the planning and opening of Indigenous Student Centres on our campuses, which she hoped would be hubs of “partnerships and personal growth”. Known affectionately as “Grandma Frances,” she was a cornerstone of community-building, guiding George Brown with cultural wisdom, warmth, and unwavering commitment. She played an instrumental role in developing partnerships with organizations such as Mizwe Biik and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC), ensuring that these collaborations were culturally responsive and meaningful. Sanderson’s dedication extended to shaping policy and protocol, providing invaluable insight on matters such as smudging and supporting the development of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Frances impacted countless lives through her unwavering commitment to education. In her celebrated address to George Brown graduates in 2019, she reminded students that education is not just a tool for personal success but a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to society.
A passionate advocate for urban Indigenous families and communities, as well as for unhoused and underhoused individuals, she supported a Housing First approach and served as the Executive Director of Nishnawbe Homes for more than 30 years. Guided by a strong sense of cultural responsibility, she dedicated her time and expertise to many other municipal and provincial organizations, including her work on heritage protection, justice system reform, and the repatriation of a city-owned Scarborough park that is a sacred burial site, returning it to the Indigenous community.
Sanderson spurred important changes in how the United Way of Greater Toronto prioritizes and funds Indigenous organizations. Sanderson proposed and developed an Indigenous Partnership Council with representatives from a range of service organizations.
After more than 30 years of service and as an active member of the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council (TASSC), Sanderson was honoured in 2000 by the City of Toronto with the William Peyton Hubbard Race Relations Award, recognizing her tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for all Torontonians. George Brown is set to name our Chef School atrium in William Hubbard’s honour in February 2026. This is a fitting reminder of the values Sanderson championed and lived, and of the values we, as individuals and as an organization, aspire to.
Frances leaves an incredible legacy of learning, leadership, advocacy, and care. In honour of her memory, George Brown will establish a bursary in her name, with details to be announced in the new year. We extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and everyone she touched.
For students requiring counselling support, appointments can be made with George Brown Counsellors between Monday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (until December 23, and after January 6 due to the holiday closure). You may also call Hope for Wellness (1-855-242-3310), a supportive counselling service for Indigenous people across Canada, or the Good2Talk helpline (1-866-925-5454) to access free anonymous support for students in Ontario, 24/7, 365 days a year. After hours, community resources can be found at Current Student Urgent Resources.
GBC employees are also welcome to use the Employee and Family Assistance Program.