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Land Rights and Aboriginal Title

Learn about Land Rights and Aboriginal Title from the UBC Indigenous foundations website

Use StoryMap to learn about Treaties

Head, Learn/Education, Reconciliation 101, This Land

StoryMap by Canadian Geographic Education is designed as a resource for teachers to introduce and to understand treaties and agreements between Indigenous Peoples, the Crown, the federal government, as well as provinces and territories. The journey starts in what is now called upstate New York, then moves to the eastern coast of Canada before going west, and final north. Topics covered include Pre-Confederation Treaties, Numbered Treaties, Métis scrip, and Inuit land claims.

Check whose land you are on

Head, Participate, This Land

A great resource for a check of whose land you are on. Text 1 (907) 312-5085 with your city/region and province/state/country you are in. It also works with zip codes/postal codes.

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.

Google Earth Voyager Stories

Body, This Land

Google Earth Voyager Stories is an interactive Google map that aims to enhance understanding of Indigenous history.

Canada’s Original Place Names

Indigenous Cultural Heritage

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.

Help reclaim Indigenous place names in Saskatoon

Cultural Understandings, Heart, Participate, This Land

Advocate for reclaiming Indigenous place names in Saskatoon. If you have a suggestion to change the name of a street, parks, and other civic properties, you can fill out a form on the City of Saskatoon’s website.

Learn about Sakitawak IPCA

Body, This Land

Nature Canada has partnered with the Sakitawak IPCA, A Métis-led initiative to create an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) in the community of Île-à-la-Crosse, to support their efforts to ensure a traditional trapping area located in Northern Saskatchewan’s pristine boreal forest becomes an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area under Métis management.

Read: What’s in a Name?

Heart, This Land, True History

Team ReconciliAction YEG wrote a blog post on the importance of reclaiming Indigenous place names for preserving Indigenous knowledge and history. Check it out here

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.

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.

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

Learn the locations of residential schools

Heart, Residential Schools, This Land, True History

The residential school system separated 150,000 Indigenous children from their families — and the last one closed in 1996. Was one of those schools in or near the community where you grew up? You can use the CBC interactive map to find out.

Read: A Line of Blood and Dirt

Head, Read, This Land

The book, A Line of Blood and Dirt: Creating the Canada-United States Border across Indigenous Lands, covers 150 years of history spanning two countries and dozens of ethnic groups. It’s a look at the messy and often violent history of the world’s longest undefended border.

Watch: Treaty 7 Land Acknowledgment Explanation

Head, This Land, Youth Perspective

The Calgary Public Library friends Henri and Charlie teaches the significance of the Treaty 7 land acknowledgment, which recognizes the history of the lands in southern Alberta, including Calgary.

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

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.

Learn about Indigenous food sovereignty

Food, Head, Health & Wellness, Kids/Family, Path, This Land

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.

Learn About Indigenous Medicines

Health & Wellness, Spirit, This Land

Alive Online

The online magazine alive offers an article on “Aboriginal Medicine: Four Canadian plants with the power to heal” by Cara McKenna.

Learn Indigenous Teachings About Plants

Food, Health & Wellness, Participate, Spirit, This 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.

Visit Parks & Sites that Share Traditional Stories & Knowledge about the Land

Body, Kids/Family, Participate, This Land, True History

Wanuskewin Heritage Park

“Six thousand years ago, Wanuskewin echoed with the thundering hooves of bison and the voices of Indigenous peoples from across the Northern Plains.” Wanuskewin provides tours and programs that share these stories, which still echo through the land.

Learn about Treaties in Canada

Head, Learn/Education, Reconciliation 101, This Land, True History

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.

Watch Elder in the Making

Art & Music, Current Events, Learn/Education, Spirit, This Land, True History, Watch

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.

Look Up the Meaning of Indigenous Place Names

Cultural Understandings, Head, Learn/Education, Reconciliation 101, This Land

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!

Watch a Heritage Minute on the history of treaties

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Naskumituwin (Treaties)

“Heritage Minutes” by Historica Canada offer a brief glimpse into the making of Treaty 9, presenting it from the perspective of historical witness George Spence, an 18-year-old Cree hunter from Albany, James Bay. Look in This Land for more comprehensive information on treaties.

Attend a Blanket Exercise

Body, Learn/Education, Reconciliation 101, Spirit, This Land, True History, Youth Perspective

Blanket Exercise Workshop

“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.

Study Chief Poundmaker’s Contribution to Treaty 6

Head, Politics & Leaders, This Land, True History

Online dictionary of Canadian Biography

This detailed article explores the life of Chief Poundmaker and his role in the negotiations of Treaty 6 in 1876.

Understand Different Perspectives on Treaty Agreements

Head, Learn/Education, This Land, True History

First Peoples of Canada Website

The First Peoples of Canada online resource looks at the difference between the Canadian government and Indigenous perspectives regarding treaty agreements. (Photo: A page from Treaty 4. Library and Archives Canada.)

Read CBC News for Different Perspectives on Treaty Agreements

Head, Learn/Education, This Land, True History

CBC News, “Treaties from 1760 – 1923”

“Treaties from 1760 – 1923: Two sides to the story” is a short CBC News article that explores how oral agreements often differed from what appeared in printed documents. (Photo:Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1986-79-1638)

Read the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Report

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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.

Learn from Interactive Timelines on Saskatchewan Treaties

Head, Learn/Education, This Land, True History

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.

Read the Canadian Encyclopedia’s Timeline of Indigenous Peoples in Canada

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The Canadian Encyclopedia

This useful tool from The Canadian Encyclopedia offers a detailed historical timeline of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, which can be organized by theme or historical periods.

Read Whose Land Is It Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization

Head, Read, Reconciliation 101, This Land

Download Whose Land Is It Anyway?

This book contains two essays from Arthur Manuel, described as the Nelson Mandela of Canada, and essays from renowned Indigenous writers Taiaiake Alfred, Glen Coulthard, Russell Diabo, Beverly Jacobs, Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Kanahus Manuel, Jeffrey McNeil-Seymour, Pamela Palmater, Shiri Pasternak, Nicole Schabus, Senator Murray Sinclair, and Sharon Venne.

Read the Treaties in Canada Education Guide

Head, Kids/Family, Learn/Education, Path, Reconciliation 101, This Land, True History

Download The Education Guide

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.

Know Whose Traditional Lands You Are On Within Canada & When You Travel

Around the World, Head, Learn/Education, Reconciliation 101, This Land

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.

Learn How & Why to Include Land Acknowledgement at Gatherings & Meetings

Business, Cultural Understandings, Head, Learn/Education, Protocols, Reconciliation 101, This Land

Protocol for Business Leaders

Protocol for Faith Groups

Protocol for Educational Institutes

Begin all meetings and events with a land acknowledgement of 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.” In addition to the links above, Amnesty International offers a guide for creating land acknowledgements and the Native Land website can also help you identify which territory you reside on.

Participate in Indigenous Experiences through Parks Canada

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Parks Canada Travel Experience

Parks Canada and their Indigenous partners offer meaningful journeys to explore Indigenous roots in Canada, interacting with First Nation, Métis and Inuit cultures.

Learn About Big Bear

Head, Politics & Leaders, This Land, True History

The Canadian Encyclopedia

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.

Learn About Indigenous Medicinal Plants Before Your Next Hike

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Learn About Indigenous Medicinal Plants

“Medicine is all around us. For centuries, Indigenous peoples found all of the medicine they needed on the land, using plants to treat a variety of ailments and conditions.” Learn more from the guides at Wanuskewin.

Visit Wanuskewin

Art & Music, Body, Cultural Understandings, Kids/Family, Learn/Education, Participate, Reconciliation 101, This Land, True History

Wanuskewin

This Northern Plains Indigenous Interpretive Site is home to over 6000 years of history, and truly unique cultural experience for the whole family.

Paths to Explore