Welcome to the Teacher’s Guide for Indigenous War Heroes, developed by the Wasauksing War Hero and Native Veteran’s Educational Awareness and Commemoration Project. The guide and associated website use the story of Francis Pegahmagabow as a launching point to provide educators and students with a framework and resources for understanding the military contributions of First World War Indigenous soldiers, as well as the cultural and political landscapes in which they lived.

The lesson plans explore the connections Francis Pegahmagabow’s life story has with many Indigenous veterans, thus helping illustrate the larger picture of Canada’s historical relationship with local Indigenous peoples. However, it is important to note there are always a diversity of stories and experiences in any complex situation. Not all Indigenous veterans’ experiences will be the same, and all unique stories are valuable contributions to our overall understanding of history.

Throughout Canada's history, Indigenous peoples have helped shape this land into the country we know today. Before Canada became a country, Britain's military alliances with First Nations were a key part of the defensive network of British North America.
During the War of 1812, First Nations warriors and Métis fighters played important roles in the defence of these British territories against invading American forces. Thousands of First Nations warriors and Métis fighters fought beside British troops and Canadian settler militias during the war.
These Indigenous allies were often accompanied by officials from the Indian Department who spoke Indigenous languages and who could help First Nations war chiefs and British military commanders speak to each other.
First Nations and Métis communities sided with the British during the war because they shared a common goal: to resist American expansion. More than 10,000 First Nations warriors from the great lakes region and the St. Lawrence Valley participated in nearly every major battle.
For British military leaders such as Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, commander of Britain's forces, First Nations warriors strengthened local garrisons and were seen as exceptional fighters.
In Canada, the war was fought on three main fronts: in the western great lakes region, the Niagara region and the St. Lawrence region. In each region First Nations warriors helped repel the invading American forces.
First Nations warriors from the Ojibwa and Dakota fought at the Battle of Michilimackinac. The Ojibwa, Odawa, Pottawatomi and Shawnee fought at the capture of Detroit. Six Nations warriors fought during the battles of Queenston Heights and Beaver Dams. The Algonquin, Mohawk, Huron and Abenaki fought at the Battle of Châteauguay.
According to several British commanders, these important battles were won in large part because of the participation of their Indigenous allies.

This choice board is created for K-9 students. The activities vary in ideas that range from art projects, spoken word, songs, virtual war museum, and primary source stories.

"This module provides resources to deliver engaging discussions, lessons and ceremonies. It can be used in the classroom, at home, or in the community to commemorate the service and sacrifices of Canada’s military personnel."

Browse the collection of objects, videos, activities and historical overviews.

Generously supported by the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command and the Friends of the Canadian War Museum.

A lesson to increase youth awareness of Indigenous people who served in the Canadian military and died in service over the years.

Everything is provided.

Indigenous people have a long and proud tradition of military service in Canada. From the earliest days before Canada was even a country of its own, through through the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, post-war peace support efforts, Afghanistan and on to the present day, thousands of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous men and women have served bravely and well in uniform.

Bravery and sacrifice defines our new nation, as war erupts across Europe. Canada, as a British Dominion, joins in the fight - a young country seeking to find its place on the world stage. It’s not long before nearly half a million Canadians, including thousands of Indigenous soldiers, travel to Europe to serve beside their allies in the First World War.
Francis Pegahmagabow
Soldiers of the Soil

This site is full of useful information when learning about Veteran's Week and Remembrance in Canada.

Some highlights include:

*Resources for the classroom
*Activities for any student
*Recorded interviews with heroes (Even WWI vet)
*Women Veterans

NFB films encompass a wide variety of war topics studied in both elementary and high schools. War is an important theme in Canadian and World Studies, Science, English Language Arts, History, Geography, Citizenship and the Arts. The films on this playlist make up only a fragment of the NFB’s remarkable collection of films on war and history. Educators are also encouraged to view other NFB titles apart from the films seen here should they wish to pursue a specialist path.

In which John Green teaches you about World War II, aka The Great Patriotic War, aka The Big One. So how did this war happen? And what does it mean? We've all learned the facts about World War II many times over, thanks to repeated classroom coverage, the History channel, and your grandfather (or maybe great-grandfather) showing you that Nazi bayonet he used to keep in his sock drawer and telling you a bunch of age-inappropriate stories about his harrowing war experiences. So, why did the Axis powers think forceful expansion was a good idea? (they were hungry). So why did this thing shake out in favor of the Allies? HInt: it has to do with the fact that it was a world war. Germany and Japan made some pretty serious strategic errors, such as invading Russia and attacking the United States, and those errors meant that pretty much the whole world was against them. So, find out how this worldwide alliance came together to stop the Axis expansion. All this, plus Canada finally gets the respectful treatment it deserves. Oh, and a warning: there are a few graphic images in this episode. Sensitive viewers may want to use caution, especially around the 9:15 mark.