This booklet is written by Spirit Bear as a youth-friendly guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) 94 Calls to Action.

In 2008, a group called the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was made. Their job was to listen to stories about residential schools and then write the stories down so we can learn from our mistakes. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission announced their 94 Calls to Action. These are 94 activities all governments, courts, businesses, schools, and people living in Canada can do to help fix the mistakes of the past and present so that all children – including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children – can grow up happy, healthy, safe, and proud of who they are.

This unit deals with how people first came to live in the part of the world which today we call the Northwest Territories. It focuses on stories of the First Peoples of this land which have evolved over many generations. Some of these stories may be unfamiliar to you. The stories themselves, and how we learn to tell and hear them, provide critical insights to how people have lived and understood this land we now live in.

The First Peoples of Canada recognize certain members of their communities for their ability as storytellers. The skillful art of storytelling is passed down from one generation to another by chosen, recognized or hereditary storytellers.

Some stories are shared at certain times of the year, in designated areas and on special occasions. As well, parents, family members and Elders share their knowledge with the younger generations in the course of their daily activities.

The stories we want to share with you here are from the Inuvialuit, the Algonquin, the Métis and Cree, the Nisga'a, the Abenaki and the Mi'kmaq. They are told through movement, song and dance, using symbols and imagination. They teach us about the origin of sacred objects and ceremonies, and our relationship to the animals, plants, rocks and each other.

This document shares and outlines effective FNME partnerships that could inspire work within your own school or division.

This document is meant to serve as a guide as your school begins to write its own land acknowledgement. Writing a land acknowledgement as a collaborative process can be a rewarding and meaningful experience for staff, students, parents and all involved. It is a time to reflect on the history of the land we are on and our relationship to the land. Our current relationship to the land is inextricably intertwined with our relationship with Indigenous Peoples.

This site has been created to support school staffs to work together to expand their understanding of truth and reconciliation as well as the history and legacy of residential schools. It contains tools and resources to support important conversations and professional development opportunities.
This space will continue to grow and evolve as resources are identified and experiences are shared. The intent is that this site will be created collaboratively, in the true nature of reconciliation. Please join the discussion to share what your school is doing to support student understanding and to help bring about reconciliation in our province and our country.

Use the navigation on the left to get started.

Learn more by navigating the more detailed menu below.

"This learning module is designed to help teachers and other educational professionals become comfortable with the topic of reconciliation so that they can begin incorporating this important topic into their work with their students.

Estimated Completion Time: 30 to 60 minutes

This learning module was developed by Joanna Sanders while working to complete a Certificate in Reconciliation Studies that is offered by the First Nations University of Canada."

Tawow, Welcome to Pow-Wow Country is a collection of photographic artifacts and information dating back to the Indian Act of 1876 as digitalized by Saskatchewan Council for Archives and Archivists. Patricia Deiter describes the history and acceptance of the pow-wow from the early 1900s to the contemporary pow-wow. Also included is information about the various dances and regalia.

Pow-wow to the First Nations people of Saskatchewan is a way of life and a symbol of cultural survival. There are more Pow-wows here in Saskatchewan on an annual basis than any other province or state in North America. Saskatchewan Pow-wows can be labeled as the best in North America as the dancers and drum groups are proven champions throughout North America. This dance form is traced to the Omaha and Pawnee people of the southern United States and came north through the Dakota people.

This site gives background knowledge on the history of Pow-wows and describes contemporary Pow-wows. It outlines different dance styles and regalia.

From University of Saskatchewan Archives.

This site offers a glimpse into the Mi’kmaw way of life - past and present and how it is shaping the current reality of the Mi’kmaw people.

An extensive list of resources is available.

Through Mala's Eyes takes a look at the Inuit community and helps students understand and appreciate one of the diverse cultures that exist within Canada. This resource looks at the life of an Inuit community in northern Quebec, through the eyes of Mala, a twelve year old Inuk boy. Through his first person narratives, Mala provides interesting background information about life in his community.

Downloadable teaching resource provided.

This is an excellent resource for teaching students about Inuit life. This resource speaks directly to students as it is given from the point of view of a twelve year old child. Students ages nine to fourteen should enjoy relating to these stories. It is rare to find a resource about Inuit life that is this modern, positive and engaging.
There are a variety of activities included within the resource, and teachers are encouraged to choose those which best apply to their classroom. There is also a lot of good background information provided in the resource, such as a glossary of Inuit terms and the Inuit alphabet. As well, online links are provided for more information.

This series of lesson plans, built around the first-person narrative of a 12-year-old Inuk boy, will help you and your students appreciate life in the Inuit community of Salluit, in the northern part of Nunavik, Northern Quebec. Although designed for students from 9 to 12 years of age, some of the lesson plans and strategies in this unit can be adapted for other grade levels. Suggested activities and lists of research resources offer exciting and engaging opportunities to learn more about the history, customs and traditions of Inuit in Canada.

The aim of this booklet is to enhance the knowledge of students about the history, cultures and traditions of Inuit and, in particular, those who live in Canada's northern Inuit community of Salluit.

By completing the lessons in this booklet, students will be able to:

- express an appreciation for the strong traditions and unique culture of the Inuit people, in various ways
- describe the various developments that affected Canada's Arctic from its early history to the present
- locate the community of Salluit and its neighbouring Inuit municipalities on a map of Canada
- relate the similarities and differences between life in Salluit and life in their own community.

Through Mala's Eyes...Life in an Inuit Community offers educators opportunities to address provincial learning outcomes in the social studies, history and geography portions of their curriculum. Given the nature of the suggested activities, students will also address learning outcomes in language, the arts and mathematics.

*Audio recordings of student readings are available through the website, but are not hyperlinked in the pdf document.
*With some slight adaptations, this unit can be completed without technology.

In this video, Cree Elder Mary Lee shares tipi teachings that have been passed on to her from her mother and other teachers with whom she has learned during her lifetime.

Early Years Tipi Teachings
Resources by Tipi Pole Value

This activity explores the role of the buffalo in the lives of the American Indians of the northern Plains. For centuries, the American bison--commonly called the buffalo--has been revered by various Native American peoples. The buffalo still plays a central role in many American Indian cultures. Stories passed from generation to generation--by spoken word and by pictures painted on animal hides--record the history of American Indians and the buffalo.

Website sections include:
- You be the historian
- What can you make from a buffalo?
- Background Information
More about the buffalo hide painting
Meet the artist
Map of the Plains Indians
- Classroom Materials
Make your own buffalo hide painting
Student worksheet
Teacher guide

"Skills Ontario has produced a wide range of videos to showcase the skilled trades and technologies and the amazing opportunities within these fields! Explore below!"

Educational Animated Videos about Trades - playlist
"A Day in the Life" Tours - playlist
Success Stories
Indigenous Role Models

Some grade six students at Aqsarniit School in Iqaluit, Nunavut did a project on some of their favorite Traditional Inuit Games (phys. ed. type activities). They hope other students will learn how to play some of them where they live. The games are:
The Kneel Jump
The Back Push
The Airplane
The Sitting Knuckle Pull
The Legwrestle
The Knucklehop
The Mouth Pull
The Musk Ox Push

The Trans-Canadian Research and Environmental Education (TREE) project is a citizen science program where students from across Canada join with researchers from the Mistik Askîwin Dendrochronology Lab (MAD Lab) to learn about the stories trembling aspen trees tell and how a synchrotron can be a tool to tell that story. Join us as we explore this new area in research and learn about environments across Canada!

From a scientific perspective with TREE, trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) are a species of tree that is abundant throughout most of Canada. They also tolerate, even thrive, with much higher levels of toxins in their soil than most other species of trees and can potentially be used to remediate contaminated sites.

From an educational perspective, learning about the life and nutrient cycles of trees, nutrients in soil, and tracking effects on trees over time provides a wealth of opportunity for student education. The TREE program connects with curriculum across several subject areas and grade levels. It provides an interdisciplinary learning experience for students, including local Indigenous knowledge related to the trees, history, and the environment.

Everyone benefits when there is a greater understanding and appreciation of Treaties and the Treaty relationship.

This issue of Canada’s History explores the history of Treaties and the Treaty relationship and is an important first step in sharing First Nations perspectives.

It has been developed with contributors who have helped to incorporate the spirit and intent of Treaty making. The contributors, drawn from across the country, bring expertise and insights that help us to understand the continuing relevance of Treaties and the Treaty relationship.

Treaties and the Treaty Relationship Educational Package.

Visit the site to download the information.