This education guide is a project of Historica Canada and includes teacher tips, historical timelines, and suggested activites for students. But it’s not just for teachers and students. Treaties in Canada is a great introduction for everyone.
Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear) was a Plains Cree chief, best known for his refusal to sign Treaty 6 in 1876 and for his band’s involvement in violent conflicts associated with the 1885 North-West Rebellion. Photo Credit BiblioArchives, Government of Canada.
Aboriginal Contributions to Place Names in Canada
“The map of Canada is a rich tapestry of place names which reflect the diverse history and heritage of our nation. Many of the country’s earliest place names draw on Aboriginal sources.” This document from the University of Manitoba offers a starting point for your research!
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner Website
Saskatchewan has a Treaty history that has led us to the Treaty relationship we have today. This interactive timeline hosted by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner is a great starting point to learn more about that history.
“The KAIROS Blanket Exercise™ program is a unique, participatory history lesson – developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and educators – that fosters truth, understanding, respect and reconciliation among Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.” Many local organizations now offer facilitation for this exercise. It’s an incredible learning experience to continue your journey of Reconciliation.
The History of Food in Canada Is the History of Colonialism
An article in Walrus magazine looks at the destruction of Indigenous food systems and asks what would it take to restore them.
Protocol for Educational Institutes
Begin all meetings and events by acknowledging the traditional territory on which you gather. It is a sign of respect, recognizing “you’re on the land of a Nation that has had a relationship since time immemorial with that land.”
This CBC News article includes a short video and looks at a program at Wanuskewin Heritage Park —a walking tour of medicinal plants used by Indigenous peoples. Or read Braiding Sweet: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. “As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers.” A delicious read.
Elder in the Making is a 95 minute documentary about a Blackfoot First Nation man and a Chinese Canadian newcomer embarking on a spiritual journey across traditional Blackfoot territory rediscovering their shared heritage.
The Office Of The Treaty Commissioner Website
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner offers an excellent resource for an introductory understanding of treaties. There are also links to teaching resources and FAQs.
Interactive Map of Treaties in the World
Whose Land – Map of Territories by Land
Travel can be an opportunity for learning and growth. This simple tool will help you identify whose traditional lands you are on when your adventures take you elsewhere in Canada or the world.
Everyone, at some point in their journey of Reconciliation, needs to read the 94 Calls to Action recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to “redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.” Or connect here to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission Final Report to read other sections and excerpts.
We have included this action in every category and every path on this website as a reminder of how important it is for us to understand the history and path of Reconciliation in our country.
