Canadian Indigenous Resources
Understanding Our Shared Heritage
Welcome to a resource hub dedicated to deepening our understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, and the vital role we all play as treaty people. Here, you’ll find curated links, insightful materials, and educational tools designed to support a respectful and meaningful journey of learning. Whether you’re new to these concepts or looking to expand your knowledge, this space encourages you to engage, reflect, and recognize the shared responsibilities that come with living on treaty land. Join us in honoring this legacy and in building connections rooted in respect and shared understanding.
The word Indigenous - explained - CBC
Indigenous people are the first people to live in a place. In Canada, Indigenous people belong to a number of different communities or nations. CBC Kids News’s Sid and Ruby explain.
Namwayut: we are all one. Truth and reconciliation in Canada
Chief Robert Joseph shares his experience as a residential school survivor and the importance of truth and reconciliation in Canada.
Canadians have been breaking their promises to Indigenous people
In 1876, Treaty 6 negotiations ended with promises of health care, education, hunting rights and freedom in exchange for sharing the land to the depth of a plough. Instead, the Canadian government passed the Indian Act which pushed Indigenous people onto reserves. Violence and hunger were used to force assimilation and colonialism when leaders like Big Bear and Poundmaker tried to fight back.
Indigenous Business Directory
The Indigenous Business Directory (IBD) is an online directory that allows procurement officers and the private sector to identify Indigenous businesses. The IBD is designed to assist and support Indigenous businesses in the pursuit of business opportunities, including federal procurement. This is a public directory and available for use by all levels of government, as well as the private sector to identify Indigenous businesses.
Things to Consider at a Pow Wow
Pow Wows are cultural celebrations of pride for people of all ages. These dynamic events showcase the drums, dance, regalia, food and crafts of Indigenous Peoples and Nations all across Turtle Island, the land otherwise known as North America. Here are a few things to be mindful of while attending.
Native Land
Native Land is a resource to learn more about Indigenous territories, languages, lands, and ways of life.
TRC: Calls to Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission published 94 "calls to action" urging all levels of government — federal, provincial, territorial and aboriginal — to work together to change policies and programs in a concerted effort to repair the harm caused by residential schools and move forward with reconciliation.
Explore Beyond 94
The site provides up-to-date status reports on each call to action, as well as extensive summaries explaining those status reports. It includes in-depth features and short video documentaries that tell some of the community stories behind the calls to action. It also features residential school survivors sharing their experiences.
Calls to Action Booklet
In this booklet, you will find the TRC’s 10 principles of Reconciliation, the 94 calls to action and the 46 articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). These documents are instruments of Reconciliation that should be read and considered together.
The first principle of Reconciliation confirms that UNDRIP is the framework for Reconciliation for all sectors of Canadian society. The other nine principles serve as guides to assist in repairing the damaged relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
Residential School History (online exhibit)
This site houses digital copies of public records related to the Indian residential school system and other colonial policies imposed on Indigenous peoples in Canada. The records are brought together from the collections of diverse partner organizations and from individual donors. They include Survivor and Intergenerational Survivor testimonies, events and hearings from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, photographs, and government and church documents.
How to talk about Indigenous people
Ever wonder how to use the proper terms when referring to Indigenous Peoples? Inuk journalist Ossie Michelin has a friendly how-to guide.
Telling our Twisted Histories podcast
On May 31, CBC launched a brand new podcast called Telling our Twisted Histories, a series that reclaims Indigenous history by exploring words whose meanings have been twisted by centuries of colonization.
Directed by Ossie Michelin and hosted by Kaniehti:io Horn (Letterkenny, The Man in the High Castle), the 11-episode series guides listeners through conversations with more than 70 people from 15 Indigenous communities whose lands now make up Quebec, New Brunswick and Labrador.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
The National Inquiry’s Final Report reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The two volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across the country.
The Sixties Scoop explained
It was a sad period in our past when Indigenous children lost their names, languages and connection to their heritage. The Sixties Scoop happened in Canada from the 1960s to the late '80s and saw thousands of Indigenous children taken from their parents to be placed with white families.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007, by a majority of 144 states in favour, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Samoa and Ukraine)
21 things you may not know about the Indian Act
The Indian Act has been a lightning rod for criticism and controversy over the years, widely attacked by First Nations people and communities for its regressive and paternalistic excesses.
National Center for Truth and Reconciliation
The NCTR was created as part of the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). The TRC was charged to listen to Survivors, their families, communities and others affected by the residential school system and educate Canadians about their experiences. The resulting collection of statements, documents and other materials now forms the sacred heart of the NCTR.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
The Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) concerns government policy with respect to the original historical nations of this country. Those nations are important to Canada, and how Canada relates to them defines in large measure its sense of justice and its image in its own eyes and before the world.
Find a Friendship Centre
The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) represents over 100 Friendship Centres and Provincial/Territorial Associations (PTA) from coast-to-coast-to-coast that make up the Friendship Centre Movement. As of 2021, there are 125 active Friendship Centres (FCs) and 7 Provincial/Territorial Associations (PTAs). Of this number, 95 Friendship Centres and 6 PTAs are NAFC Members.
Use the interactive map above to find a Friendship Centre near you!
Indigenous Cinema
Discover the National Film Board’s rich online collection of Indigenous-made films.
Duty to Consult
The Government of Canada has a duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate Indigenous groups when it considers conduct that might adversely impact potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights. The duty stems from the Honour of the Crown and is derived from section 35 of Canada's Constitution Act, 1982, which recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and treaty rights.
Haida Nation v. British Columbia
In 1961 the provincial government of British Columbia issued a "Tree Farm Licence" (TFL 39) over an area of land to which the Haida Nation claimed title. This title had not yet been recognized at law. The Haida Nation also claimed an Aboriginal right to harvest red cedar in that area. In 1981, 1995, and 2000 the Minister replaced TFL 39; in 1999 the Minister authorized a transfer to Weyerhauser Co. These actions were performed unilaterally, without consent from or consultation with the Haida Nation. The Haida Nation brought a suit, requesting that the replacement and transfer be set aside.
The chambers judge found that the Crown was under a moral – but not legal – duty to negotiate with the Haida Nation. The British Columbia Court of Appeal reversed this decision, deciding that both the Crown and Weyerhauser Co. are under legal obligations to consult with Aboriginal groups whose interests may be affected.
Assembly of First Nations
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations people in Canada which includes more than 900,000 people living in more than 600 First Nation communities in cities and town across the country. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. The AFN hosts two Assemblies a year where mandates and directives for the organization are established through resolutions directed and supported by the First Nations in Assembly (elected Chiefs or proxies from member First Nations).
What is Jordan’s Principle?
Jordan’s Principle is a legal requirement resulting from the Orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) and is not a policy or program. Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle that aims to eliminate service inequities and delays for First Nations children. Jordan’s Principle states that any public service ordinarily available to all other children must be made available to First Nations children without delay or denial.
Canadian Council for Indigenous Business
Supporting Indigenous businesses and economic growth - CCIB builds bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, businesses and communities through diverse programming, providing tools, training, network building, major awards, and national events.
Moose Hide Campaign Development Society
The Moose Hide Campaign is a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children. Organizers distribute moose hide pins at both regional and national gatherings, which include a day of fasting. People of all ages, backgrounds, and gender identities are welcome to attend Moose Hide Campaign events.
CBC Radio: Building an ally
What does it mean to support and stand with the Indigenous community? Some non-Indigenous people have been viewed as an ally, but what does it mean to them to be a cross-cultural bridge builder?
National Geographic: Interactive Timeline
How do you introduce students to the concept of “first contact” between Indigenous and European groups in the Americas? We have a timeline and handy tips.
National Indigenous Economic Strategy
The National Indigenous Economic Strategy is designed to drive positive change, address long-standing inequities, and achieve inclusive growth for and with Indigenous communities.
This Strategy presents pathways for Canada to be the global leader in upholding Indigenous rights. Implementation of the Strategy requires the purposeful engagement of governments, corporate Canada, institutions, and all Canadians.
National Indigenous Economic Strategy
The National Indigenous Economic Strategy is designed to drive positive change, address long-standing inequities, and achieve inclusive growth for and with Indigenous communities.
This Strategy presents pathways for Canada to be the global leader in upholding Indigenous rights. Implementation of the Strategy requires the purposeful engagement of governments, corporate Canada, institutions, and all Canadians.