Learn about Indigenous peoples’ history
When considering ways to Indigenize the curriculum, questions may come up about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The resources listed below can encourage an understanding of Indigenous peoples’ histories, identities, and experiences. A familiarity with this history can help to better understand, appreciate, and incorporate Indigenous perspectives. History has tangible, present-day impacts.
Four Directions teachings (website)
This interactive website shares teachings from Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk, and Mi’kmaq elders. It includes videos, audio recordings, transcripts, illustrations, and detailed, multi-level teacher resource kits.
Indigenous Canada, by the University of Alberta (course)
This free 12-week course offered by the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta via Coursera looks at historical and contemporary events in Canada from an Indigenous perspective and encourages critical engagement. Verify dates as the course is offered on a sessional basis.
Indigenous foundations (website)
This website provides resources about Indigenous histories, peoples, and cultures, including topics related to identity, land and rights, government policy, community and politics, and other aspects of culture. Text-based resources, interviews, and public lectures are included.
Indigenous knowledge portal (website)
This website has compiled “annotated literature reviews, reports, guides, films, booklets, studies, journal articles and presentations all related to Aboriginal children and families in Canada and similar countries” (from the website).
Indigenous peoples (website)
This website provides a synopsis of Indigenous peoples’ history and present. Use the ‘Overview’ option at the top of the page to browse by subject across resources, including videos and study guides.
Indigenous voices program (learning modules)
Historical and contemporary context is offered in online learning modules on Indigenous education, land agreements, power and privilege, and place and culture. While much of the content is about Indigenous peoples in different parts of Canada, there is an emphasis upon Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan. These four web modules take approximately three hours each to complete.
It’s our time: The AFN education toolkit, by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) (22 guides, ranging from 5-30 pages each)
This collection of guides on various aspects of First Nations’ history and culture is intended as “a tool to bring together First Nations and non-First Nations people and foster a spirit of cooperation, understanding, and action” (website). Topics range from treaties to residential schools to cultural competencies to student success to employment. The guides are available in .pdf or via an app.
Learning about residential schools (web page)
This web page provides information on residential schools and their intergenerational impacts, including links to the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, opportunities to learn more about residential schools, and support for residential school survivors.
Métis in Canada: History, identity, law and politics, edited by Christopher Adams, Gregg Dahl (Métis), and Ian Peach (McGill University) (book, 561 pages)
This edited anthology provides a thorough introduction that shares perspectives on what it means to be Métis following the pivotal Supreme Court of Canada’s Powley decision in 2003, with considerations for history, law, and politics. It includes a chapter by Gloria Jane Bell (Métis). (Learn about Professor Bell’s work at McGill University and beyond.)
Where are the children? (website)
This interactive website mainly focuses on the Residential Schools in Canada from 1831-1996 via an online exhibition. Additional stories and timelines contribute to further developing one’s understanding.
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While this resource is accessible worldwide, McGill University is on land which has served and continues to serve as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. Teaching and Learning Services acknowledges and thanks the diverse Indigenous peoples whose footsteps mark this territory on which peoples of the world now gather. This land acknowledgment is shared as a starting point to provide context for further learning and action.
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