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#ExploreCan

#ExploreCan was a program created by Canadian Geography Education with a year of virtual events and learning resources exploring Canada, science, environmental stewardship largely focused on truth and reconciliation.

Water Is Life

Heart, Learn/Education, This Land

The Water Is Life learning package is a series of four lessons plans that draw on on land-based learning, centered on women’s teachings about, for, and from Mother Earth, with a specific focus on water and its connection to land and the Indigenous Peoples living on Turtle Island.

Making teaching more inclusive

Cultural Understandings, Head, Learn/Education

The First Nations Education Steering Committee created resources to support teachers in including Indigenous teachings and perspectives in courses – like the Math First Peoples Teacher Resource Guide.

Follow Cree Literacy News

Head, Language, Learn/Education

For ten years, the Cree Literacy Network has been promoting the work of lifelong language warriors. They use their blog to honour and support the commitment they share to retain, reclaim, revitalize and restore the language that is a birthright for themselves and their communities.

Four Seasons of Reconciliation

Body, Learn/Education, Reconciliation 101

Learn about the history and culture of Indigenous communities in Canada, the history of residential schools, and treaties around the country in Four Seasons of Reconciliation, a three-hour multimedia course delivered online by First Nations University of Canada.

Learn Cree with Janell Stick

Head, Language, Learn/Education

Janell Stick teaches Cree. She shared her syllabic chart teaching video with the Cree Literacy Network, which shows the characters and sounds together. Find more of Janell’s teaching presentations via FaceBook on her page, nêhiyâwêwin for the Soul, or on YouTube as Cree for the Soul.

Learn: Generation Power

Head, Learn/Education, Youth Perspective

Generation Power is an Indigenous youth clean energy and career training program. It was developed by and for Indigenous youth, by engaging a holistic, strength-based approach positioning Indigenous leadership as essential to advancing a more sustainable and equitable energy future.

Learn to be anti-racist

Heart, Learn/Education, Read, Reconciliation 101

Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre sees how racism occurs at all levels of society and that anti-racism is an active way of seeing and being in the world, in order to transform it. To this end the ACLRC offers anti-racism training and resources through a learning toolkit with Calgary Anti-Racism Education

Residential Schools and Reconciliation

Head, Learn/Education, Residential Schools

Residential Schools and Reconciliation is a learning portal by the Royal BC Museum that features readings, videos, teacher resources, and the opportunity to view historical images and objects about residential schools.

Settlers Take Action

Body, Current Events, Learn/Education, Participate

Settlers Take Action is a website aimed at non-Indigenous folk living in Canada, with the understanding that we are all responsible for our personal role in reconciliation. The website gives step-by-step actions to take and lists resources to support your reconciliation journey.

Learn about Aboriginal Worldviews and Education

Cultural Understandings, Head, Learn/Education

Aboriginal Worldviews and Education is a course offered free online by the University of Toronto. It will explore indigenous ways of knowing and how they can benefit all students.

Employee Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training

Body, Business, Learn/Education

Learn about Indigenous culture and history in this online training by Bear Standing tall and Associates designed for business. The training works towards building meaningful and respectful relationship with Indigenous peoples.

Advance knowledge in Diversity and Inclusion

Body, Business, Learn/Education

Make sure everyone in your business or organization has knowledge on the fundamentals of diversity and inclusion, managing bias in hiring, and unconscious bias through this workplace training from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.

Learn about the Rights of Indigenous People

Around the World, Current Events, Heart, Learn/Education

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous peoples.

Watch: Indigenous Language Classes on YouTube

Heart, Language, Learn/Education

The File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council has a series of Indigenous language learning videos on their YouTube page. Choose from Saulteaux, Cree, nêhiyawêwin, Dakhóta lá, Anishinaabemowin, Nakon’i’a, and Nakoda

Learn Métis history visually

Cultural Understandings, Head, Kids/Family, Learn/Education

The Métis: A Visual History is a stunning and visually commanding resource covering over three hundred years of history and culture starting with the birth of the Métis Nation.

Watch: Call for Equitable Indigenous Healthcare

Head, Health & Wellness, Learn/Education, Watch

Watch, the Call for Equitable Indigenous Healthcare in Canada: Nation to Nation Collaboration. The film includes interviews with Indigenous traditional Knowledge Keeper Rose Richardson and her husband, healthcare patient Mayor Ric Richardson, as well as Director of Surgical Oncology at the University of Saskatchewan Dr. Gary Groot.

Watch: Videos created by Gabriel Dumont Local 11

Body, Language, Learn/Education, Watch

Watch these videos created by Gabriel Dumont Local 11 to learn more about the culture and history of the Métis:

Learning Michif

Lii Vyeu Moond Kiiwaywuk Sur La Tayr | Youth and Elders, Learning Together on the Land

Aboriginal Identity and Terminology

Cultural Understandings, Head, Learn/Education

Learn about Aboriginal Identity and Terminology from the UBC Indigenous foundations website

Watch Cree Teachings

Heart, Learn/Education, Listen, Protocols

In a series of Cree Teachings videos, Sylvia McAdam, shares information about protocol and smudging, women’s teachings and mossbags, Treaties, the Pipe laws and more.

Gibaajimominaan: Our Stories

Head, Kids/Family, Learn/Education, Residential Schools

Canada’s History has lesson plans, including this one for youth in Grade 7, 8, 9, Gibaajimominaan: Our Stories. This lesson has students learn from residential school Survivors and consider what they can do to support the Survivors and their families.

Learn Cree

Head, Language, Learn/Education

The University of Regina is offering Cree: Language of the Plains through open source resources. Learn at your own pace through workbooks and downloadable videos

Take an online class

Head, Learn/Education, True History

Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson online course that explores, from an Indigenous perspective, key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Topics include the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions.

Watch: Lunchtime Decolonization

Heart, Learn/Education

Check out an episode of Think Indigenous Online Education’s Lunchtime Decolonization, with a variety of Indigenous experts. The videos are recorded live on their Facebook page.

Support Indigenous Movements

Heart, Learn/Education, Participate

Idle No More asks people to join in a peaceful revolution, to honour Indigenous sovereignty, and to protect the land and water

Show Up for Racial Justice: Be Educated

Head, Learn/Education

Show up to support racial justice by being educated. These links can help:

Systemic racism explained – an animated video on Facebook from the team at Now This

How White People Can Hold Each Other Accountable to Stop Institutional Racism – an article in Teen Vogue

Racism 101: Understanding Race and Racism – an article that explains what racism is, how it operates, and what we can do to end it.

Advice: How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism

Current Events, Head, Kids/Family, Learn/Education

The Parent Toolkit presents a How To on Talking to Kids about Race and Racism. As they say, there’s no question, talking about race can be sensitive, and yes, even a bit messy.

Listen to 2 Crees in a Pod

Head, Learn/Education

2 Crees in a Pod, unapologetically creates space for Indigenous resurgence. Their intention is to disrupt western colonial systems and honour Indigenous helping practices.

Watch Fox Chaser

Heart, Learn/Education, This Land

Chris Hsiung, the producer and director behind Elder in the Making, also created Fox Chaser, which is now available on CBC Gem.

It’s a story that will take you into the harsh winters of northern Alberta where a young Cree trapper struggles to protect his childhood dream of living off the trapline. With encroaching industrial development and increasing family obligations, this may be his last chance for freedom in the bush.

Watch it here

Reconciliation Australia

Heart, Learn/Education, Read, Reconciliation 101

Learn about reconciliation happening in other places. Reconciliation Australia, promotes and facilitates respect, trust and positive relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Stories Are in Our Bones

Art & Music, Cultural Understandings, Learn/Education, Spirit

Watch the NFB’s Stories Are in Our Bones

Filmmaker Janine Windolph takes her young sons fishing with their kokum, a residential school survivor who retains a deep knowledge and memory of the land. The act of reconnecting with their homeland is a cultural and familial healing journey for the boys, who are growing up in the city.

Residential Schools podcast

Cultural Understandings, Heart, Learn/Education, Residential Schools, True History

Historica Canada created a podcast series about the history of residential schools in Canada. The Residential Schools podcast aims to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools, and honour the stories of Survivors, families, and communities.

Siha Tooskin Knows

Heart, Kids/Family, Learn/Education, Youth Perspective

Siha Tooskin Knows is a series children’s books reinforcing the importance of Indigenous culture, including Siha Tooskin Knows the Love of the Dance on why powwows are so important.

Library recommended reconciliation reading lists

Head, Learn/Education, Participate, Read

Increasing libraries are getting onboard with Reconciliation – offering up activities, reading spaces and books in their branches.

If you can’t make it in, many libraries have recommendations of reads to start (or continue) you on your Reconciliation Journey

Vancouver Public Library

Ontario Public Libraries

Regina Public Library

Saskatoon Public Library

Learn more about honouring the land

Around the World, Body, Cultural Understandings, Learn/Education, This Land

The US Department of Arts and Culture created a guide – Honor Native Land: A Guide and Call to Acknowledgement.
It calls on individuals and organizations to open events and gatherings with land acknowledgements and provides suggestions on how, and why, to do it.

Explore Language Learning Websites

Head, Language, Learn/Education, Read

Omniglot is an online encyclopedia of writing systems and languages. Learn about the history of Indigenous languages and use its translation tools.

Cree Literacy Network promotes literacy in Cree language and culture.

Download an Indigenous Language App

Cultural Understandings, Head, Learn/Education, Listen

Maskwacis Cree, developed by Samson Cree Nation, it lets you explore 20 different categories of words, play word games and take quizzes. For Apple devices

Maskosis Goes to School, developed by Samson Cree Nation, it will teach you about pow wows, traditional Cree values, culture and basic language structure. For Apple and Android devices

Kobe Learn, developed by Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education, it is a suite of apps available in Cree, Oji-Cree and Ojibway. For Apple and Android devices

Plains Cree Yorkton Tribal Council, developed by Yorkton Tribal Council, it teaches the Plains Cree Language, including categories such as greetings, weather, animals, anatomy and family. For Apple devices

Singuistics, developed by Pinnguaq Technology, it will teach traditional songs from Inuktitut, Gwich’in, Anishinaabemowin, Cree and Chipewyan languages. For Apple devices

FirstVoices, developed by First Peoples’ Heritage Language and Culture Council, it contains keyboard software for over 100 Indigenous languages, including every First Nations language in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. For Apple and Android devices

Read Reclaiming Power and Place

Head, Heart, Learn/Education, Read, True History

The final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has two-volumes, calls for transformative legal and social changes, and delivers 231 individual Calls for Justice. (MMIW)

Read the entire report, or the Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and all Canadians.

Learn about the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Learn/Education, Reconciliation 101, Spirit, True History, Uncategorized, Watch

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is the permanent home for all statements, documents, and other materials gathered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Learn more about their work.

The centre created this video to explain their work keeping the issues of Truth and Reconciliation alive.

Learn to be an Indigenous Ally

Head, Learn/Education, Listen, Participate, Safe Spaces, Support, True History

The Montreal Urban Aboriginal Network launched the Indigenous Ally toolkit in English and in French. Being an ally is about creating safe spaces by educating others on the realities and histories of marginalized people. The toolkit provides suggested steps and self-reflections for people who want to be an ally.

Use The Gathering: A Compilation of Teaching Resources

Head, Kids/Family, Learn/Education, Reconciliation 101, Youth Perspective

THE GATHERING Educators from North West Community College/University of Regina Community-Based Masters Program have compiled First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) teaching resources that can be adapted for all students. While the website is focused on teachers, anyone starting their Reconciliation journey will find this to be a useful tool!

Learn About Métis History, Identity and Culture

Cultural Understandings, Head, Learn/Education, Reconciliation 101, True History

Use the Indigenous Peoples Atlas to learn about Métis history, identity and culture. This tremendous online resource has extensive sections on trading, oral tradition and languages, historical milestones, culture and contemporary experience.

Learn the History of Louis Riel

Head, Kids/Family, Learn/Education, Read, Reconciliation 101, Youth Perspective

Use graphic novels to introduce youth to history! Chester Brown, creator of the Louis Riel graphic novel, retells the history of the nineteenth-century Métis Rebellion lead by Prairie Métis Louis Riel. Get the graphic novel at Drawn and Quarterly.

Explore the history of Louis Riel in this video by the Cable Public Affairs Channel or this article in the Canadian Encyclopedia.

Learn About Gaps in Education for Indigenous Peoples

Facts & Figures, Head, Health & Wellness, Learn/Education, Reconciliation 101

The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology created this video, which highlights the impacts of gaps in Indigenous Education and the opportunities to improve the quality of life for all Canadians.

Reflect on what reconciliation means to you

Heart, Learn/Education, Listen, Reconciliation 101, Safe Spaces

CBC News: “What does Reconciliation Mean to You?”

Reconciliation can mean something very unique to each of us but we need to take the time to listen, learn and share with one another. This CBC article looks at individual reflections and will spark your own reflections!

Read Indigenous Autobiographies

Head, Learn/Education, Read, Spirit

The Tyee talks about Fatty Legs

The Education of Augie Merasty

CBC Book List of 15 Memoirs by Indigenous Writers

If autobiographies are your thing, here are a few titles that will get you started—including The Education of Augie Merasty, Richard Wagamese’s One Native Life, and The Reason You Walk by Wab Kinew. These titles will educate and transform you.

Use Book Lists to Read for Reconciliation

Head, Learn/Education, Read, Reconciliation 101

Saskatoon Public Library

From the Heart

Government of Canada

Saskatchewan School Boards Association Reconciliation Reading List

Reconciliation starts with education and there are many great titles that can help you dive deep into a learning process around Indigenous history, culture and residential schools. Whether fiction or non-fiction is your preference, you’ll find a range of titles on these must-read lists.

Join or Form a Book Club About Reconciliation

Head, Learn/Education, Participate, Read

Edmonton’s Rise Book Club
Saskatoon Public Library: Read for Reconciliation

Book clubs are a great way to share the path of Reconciliation with friends, family and community. There are many great formats and book lists to borrow from. All you need is a few members and start reading!

Read Comic Books & Graphic Novels About Reconciliation

Head, Kids/Family, Learn/Education, Read, Youth Perspective

CBC Gaming/Comic Book Guide for Parents

Native Realities

Strong Nations

Comic books and graphic novels can be a great way to start the path towards Reconciliation—and there are many titles out there for kids and adults. Start with these lists to discover titles and authors!