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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.

Re:Location

Current Events, Head, This Land

Canadian Geographic and its publisher the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, created an interactive website, re: Location, as part of a larger initiative dedicated to highlighting community relocations n Canada. Learn about communities (historic and modern) that have been forced to relocate.

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.

Listen to Chief Robert Joseph

Head, Listen, Politics & Leaders

Listen to this episode of the Beyond podcast, featuring Chief Robert Joseph the Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada, and a member of the National Assembly of First Nations Elders Council. He talks about the revelations of 2021 in Canada, and our country’s long-delayed awakening to the truth of residential schools, and our growing commitment to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.

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.

Listen: Cree and Coffee with the Crazy Crees

Head, Language, Listen

Podcast hosts Charlotte Ross and Andrea Custer are both strong advocates for language revitalization. Through Cree and Coffee with the Crazy Crees, they discuss many topics including the importance of language, Silent Speakers, and further education.

Canadian Reconciliation Barometer

Facts & Figures, Head, Reconciliation 101

The Canadian Reconciliation Barometer was designed for Understanding, Tracking, and Promoting Reconciliation in Canada. It’s a set of questions that Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada complete through a large online survey.

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.

Decolonizing bookshelves

Head, Kids/Family, Read

The work of decolonization requires readers, young and old, to diversify the stories they consume. IndigiNews created this list for Decolonizing your teen’s bookshelf and this one for Decolonizing your child’s bookshelf.

Native Women’s Association of Canada

Head, Politics & Leaders, Safe Spaces

Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a national organization representing Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse people in Canada and working create an inclusive world for women and families of Indigenous nations. Follow them on Insatgram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Current Events, Head, Politics & Leaders

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) works to improve the health and wellbeing of Inuit through research, advocacy, public outreach, and education by serving as a national voice for the 51 Inuit communities. Learn more. Visit ITK on Facebook, and follow on Twitter and Instagram

Listen: Storytellers Podcast

Head, Listen, Read

Storykeepers: Let’s Talk Indigenous Books is a monthly podcast hosted by Jennifer David and Waubgeshig Rice. Each episode, they’re joined by a guest to discuss books by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit authors.

Watch: PRRC 2021 ē-nīso pimohtēyahk videos

Head, Participate, Watch

Every year Prairie Rivers Reconciliation Committee hosts a conference, you can watch some of the sessions from this year’s event ē-nīso pimohtēyahk/Walking Forward Together. Topics available include nation building, the importance of beading, youth perspectives, and working together.

Indigenous Leader: Sheila Watt-Cloutier

Current Events, Head, Politics & Leaders

Sheila Watt-Cloutier, born in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, Québec, is a Canadian Inuit activist. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for her advocacy work on the impacts of global climate change on human rights – especially in the Arctic. Her book The Right to Be Cold, about the effects of climate change on Inuit communities, was published in 2015.

Learn about Dr. Stanley Vollant

Head, Health & Wellness, Politics & Leaders

Dr. Stabley Vollant is the first Innu surgeon in Quebec. In 2010 he walked 6,000 km from Labrador through Quebec and Ontario speaking at schools and bringing elders together. From this he founded Puamun Meshkenu (path of thousand dreams) in 2016 to inspire and support Indigenous individuals to develop their full mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional potential.

Youth Leader: Ta’kaiya Blaney

Head, Politics & Leaders, Social Media, Youth Perspective

Ta’Kaiya Blaney is a teen activist from Tla’min First Nation. She has taken a stand against the destruction of her people’s land and become a champion of environmental causes by teaching Canadian youth about environmental exploitation and the climate crisis. Follow her on Instagram

Indigenous Leaders: Autumn Peltier

Head, Politics & Leaders, Social Media

Autumn Peltier, from Wikwemikong First Nation, is advocating for the preservation of water for First Nations people in Canada. She has spoken about the realities of water pollution before prime minister Justin Trudeau and the United Nations General Assembly. Follow her on Instagram.

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.

Cando – Empower Indigenous youth

Head, Youth Perspective

Cando Youth Connect is a platform for Indigenous youths (18-35) across Turtle Island to virtually participate to discuss topics such as Economic Development, Lands Management, and Entrepreneurship.

Learn about The Survivors’ Flag

Head, Residential Schools

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation saw the creation of the The Survivors’ Flag as an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada, who were consulted in the flag’s creation.

Reconciliation Call to Action: Youth Voices

Head, Reconciliation 101, Youth Perspective

Reconciliation Canada created a step-by-step instructional guide for student leaders who want to contribute to the reconciliation movement and start a conversation on reconciliation within their school, family, and social networks.

Have a Kitchen Table Dialogue

Head, Reconciliation 101

Kitchen Table Dialogues are a do-it-yourself guide for Canadians to start a conversation on reconciliation. Reconciliation Canada created toolkits for municipal leadership, and individuals, communities and organizations.

See what white privilege looks like

Head, Read, Reconciliation 101

YES! Magazine tackles the concept of white privilege and lays out examples of what it looks like in everyday life in their article, 10 Examples That Prove White Privilege Exists in Every Aspect Imaginable

Learn about white privilege

Head, Read, Reconciliation 101

Recognizing white privilege begins only with understand of what the term means. Learning for Justice breaks it down in an easy to understand way and explains the impact of systemic racism and bias in their article, ‘What is White Privilege, Really?’

Use resources on Intergenerational Trauma

Head, Reconciliation 101, Residential Schools

The New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) has put together a public list of articles and video resources to learn more about the Intergenerational Trauma.

Learn about consequences of Indigenous misrepresentations

Cultural Understandings, Current Events, Head, Reconciliation 101

The Canadian Bar Association discusses the repercussions faced by Indigenous people when media picks and chooses the narrative of the story concerning Indigenous issues.

Learn about issues in media portrayal of Indigenous communities

Cultural Understandings, Current Events, Head

Professor Carmen Robertson looks at how Indigenous people are represented by media and how it can feed into Indigenous stereotypes in this article.

Media Smarts looks at Indigenous representation

Current Events, Head

Often there can be a gap between what is faced by Indigenous communities and what is reported in the news. Check out this article Media Smarts to learn more about discrepancies and unfairness by media in reporting Indigenous news.

Read: Reclaiming Indigenous Place Names

Head, This Land, True History

Indigenous Peoples in Canada are working to restore place names and revitalize their languages after colonial policies and law sought to eradicate them. The article, Reclaiming Indigenous Place Names, from the Yellowhead Institute shows the importance of restoring Indigenous place names to reclaim Indigenous knowledge and territories.

The United Church and reconciliation

Head, Reconciliation 101

The United Church of Canada has been working to integrate Indigenous justice themes in worship and community lives. The United Church website has resources on how to get involved in reconciliation as a church community.

Watch: People of the Buffalo Nation

Head, This Land, True History, Watch

Watch People of the Buffalo Nation where Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway from the Buffalo People Arts Institute tells the story of the “Pile of Bones” name of Regina, and the history of the bison across North America.

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.

Watch: Residential Schools in Canada Timeline

Head, Residential Schools, True History

The history of residential schools in Canada can be traced as far back as the 17th century. Watch the “Residential Schools in Canada Timeline” video by Historica Canada to learn about the significant dates in its history — from the landing of Jesuits in what is now known as Quebec, to the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final report in 2015.

Indigenous History 101 Toolkit

Cultural Understandings, Head, Residential Schools

The Assembly of First Nations developed a toolkit to bring together First Nations and non-First Nations people and foster a spirit of cooperation, understanding, and action. Learn about residential schools, culture, pre-contact history, and role models.

Decolonize Myself – A First Nations Perspective

Cultural Understandings, Head, Read

Read the Decolonize Myself blog for First Nations perspectives of colonialization, decolonialization, healing, and culture, and check out the resource links.

Browse GoodMinds for your next book

Head, Read, Shopping

GoodMinds.com a First Nations family-owned business focusing on First Nations, Metis and Inuit authorship and education. Browse through their amazing collection of Indigenous books.

Listen: Radical Narrative

Head, Listen

Check out Radical Narratives – stimulating and insightful conversations, with episodes like Treaty 6ix Clothing with Tesler Mosquito, and The Social Contexts & Personal Life of Ashley Callingbull

Read: An Introductory Guide To Understanding Indigenous Rights

Head, Read, True History

National accounting and tax firm MNP has released An Introductory Guide To Understanding Indigenous Rights. The book looks at Indigenous and Treaty Rights and Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples. Proceeds the book are being set aside within MNP’s Communities Forward community investment fund for the benefit of grassroots First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth initiatives.

ohpahotân I oohpaahotaan

Head, Read, Safe Spaces

The University of Saskatchewan has shared their Indigenous Strategy online. ohpahotân I oohpaahotaan let’s fly up together, challenges all of us to engage in the difficult work of resetting relationships.

Truth and Reconciliation Toolkit for Lawyers

Business, Head

Canadian Bar Association put together a Truth and Reconciliation toolkit to give members of the legal profession actionable guidance and resources on what they need to do to become better allies to Indigenous people.

Read: Shattering the Silence

Head, Read, Residential Schools

Download the ebook Shattering the Silence: The Hidden History of Indian Residential Schools in Saskatchewan, a resource for educators

Nisitohtamowin eLearning

Head, Reconciliation 101, True History

Nisitohtamowin: an introduction to understanding Indigenous perspectives in Canada explores Indigenous history in Canada, including residential schools and race relations.

Watch: Enoch Animated

Cultural Understandings, Head, Watch

Enoch Animated is a YouTube channel that brings the stories of Enoch Cree Nation elders to life. There are 24 short videos (one or two minutes long)and they entertainment and education for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike.

Learn about Canadian Indigenous history

Cultural Understandings, Head

Canadian Indigenous History and Cultural Sensitivity is a comprehensive course on Canadian Indigenous relations, cultural practices, and the historical impact of colonization, starting with what Canada and First Peoples looked like pre-contact. This course also gives basic introduction to the proper protocol when working with the Indigenous peoples.

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.

Climbing the Mountain

Business, Head

Climbing the Mountain: Reconciliation in Workplaces online trainings are hosted by Indispire and designed to improve knowledge in Indigenous culture, worldviews and spiritualities. Learn about marginalization of Indigenous peoples due to colonization and build positive relationships between workplace and Indigenous peoples.

Read: Action & Justice Everyday

Head, Read, Youth Perspective

Action & Justice Everyday is a post by Michael Redhead Champagne on his blog that is designed helps youth to discover their own path. Through his blogs he brings attention to problems faced by Indigenous Peoples, Calls to Action and Calls to Justice.

Watch: Future Pathways Fireside Chat

Cultural Understandings, Head, Watch, Youth Perspective

Future Pathways Fireside Chat series of videos from Indigenous role models in activism, the arts, community development, education, business, health, skilled trades, sports and more. They share messages of hope, resilience, and perseverance, while highlighting the lessons learned from their support systems, careers, and personal choices.

Learn Cree on Facebook

Head, Language

The mission of nehiyo is to make reading and writing Cree easier to learn for everyone.

Learn about Modern Treaties

Current Events, Head, This Land

Did you know that modern treaties cover more than 40 percent of Canada’s land mass? Or that more than 70 Indigenous groups are currently negotiating modern treaties?

Learn about Modern Treaties through free one-hour online courses from the Land Claims Agreement Coalition

Paths to Explore