List of Educational Resources

June is National Indigenous History Month

Why do we celebrate it?

• Indigenous History Month is an opportunity for Canadians to recognize, reflect, and celebrate the unique histories and cultures of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples

• Indigenous History Month calls on Canadians to educate themselves and celebrate the contributions of Indigenous peoples as we move together toward truth and reconciliation. 

Wondering where to begin? Learn the history of your region and find out whose ancestral territories you inhabit on https://native-land.ca

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Children’s Books

• Nibi’s Water Song by Sunshine Quem Tenasco, illustrated by Chief Lady Bird

• Smile So Big by Sunshine Quem Tenasco, illustrated by Chief Lady Bird

• We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

• Bear for Breakfast by Robert Munch, illustrated by Jay Odjick

• Stand Like A Cedar by Nicola I. Campbell

• Walking Together by Elder Dr. Albert D. Marshall

• Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard

• Berry Song by Michaela Goade

• Phyllis’ Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad

• Powwow Day by Traci Sorell

• The Polar Bear Son: An Inuit Tale by Lydia Dabcovich

• Sometimes I Feel Like A Fox by Danielle Daniel

• A Promise is a Promise by Robert Munsch and Michael Kusugak

• Little You by Richard Van Camp

Non-Fiction Books

• The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King

• Whose Land Is It Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization by Peter Macfarlane and Nicole Schabus

• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

• The End of This World: Cliamte Justice in So-Called Canada by Angele Look, Joel Laforest, Crystal Lameman, Bronwen Tucker, and Emily Eaton

• From Time Immemorial: The First People of the Pacific Northwest Coast by Diane Silvey

• 21 Things You Didn’t Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph

• Forever Loved: Exposing the Hidden Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada by Dawn Memes Lavell-Harvard

• Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga

• I Am Woman by Lee Maracle

• Indigenous Writes by Chelsea Vowel

• Our Story: Aboriginal Voices on Canada’s Past by Tantoo Cardinal, Tomson Highway, Basil Johnston, Thomas King, Brian Maracle, Lee Maracle, Jovette Marchessault, Rachel A. Qitsualik, and Drew Hayden Taylor.

• Clearing the Plains by James W. Daschuk

Fiction Books

• Visions of the Crow by Wanda John-Kehewin and Nichole Marie Burton

• Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese

• Embers by Richard Wagamese

• Ceremony by Leslie Marion Silko

• Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson

• Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq

• All the Quiet Places: A Novel by Brian Thomas Isaac

• Five Little Indians by Michelle Good

• Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

• Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

• Johnny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead

• A Broken Blade: The Halfling Saga by Melissa Blair

• Where the Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobson

• The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Movies

• Indian Horse (2017)

• The Grizzlies (2018)

• We Were Children (2012)

• Windtalkers (2002)

• Smoke Signals (1998)

• Dance Me Outside (1994)

• Wildhood (2021)

• One Day in the Life of Noah Piugattuk (2019)

• Blood Quantum (2019)

• Prey (2022)

• Reservation Dogs (2021-2023)

• First Contact (2018-present)

• Fancy Dance (2023)

• Rez Ball (2024) 

Documentaries/Docuseries

• For Love (2022) on Netflix

• 500 Nations (1995)

• Gather (2020) on Netflix

• Trick or Treaty? (2014) on NFB

• Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993)

• Angry Inuk (2016) on Prime Video

• The Pretendians (2022) on CBC Gem

• Bimibatoo-Win: Where I Ran (2022)

• Spirit to Soar (2021)

• Reel Injun (2009)

• 8th Fire (2012) Limited Series on CBC with Wab Kinew

Documents

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: 94 Calls to Action

• MMIWG Final Report

Educational Programs

• UBC Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education: A 6-Week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). Free.

• University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada online course. Free.

• First Nations and Indigenous Studies at UBC

Other Websites

• http://www.trc.ca/

• https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/history-of-residential-schools/

• https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/

• http://www.redressproject.org/

• https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100013778/1100100013779

• https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/First-Peoples-A-Guide-for-Newcomers.pdf

• https://www.hellobc.com/things-to-do/indigenous-culture/

• https://physiotherapy.ca/sites/default/files/indigenous_ally_toolkit_en.pdf

• https://locallove.ca/issues/what-are-land-acknowledgements-and-why-do-they-matter/#.XuKlFmpKhE4

Coast Salish Perspectives on Animals

Hummingbird = Sxwut’ts’uli

• Represents friendship and playfulness

• Symbolize love,” the miracle of living”, positivity, and good luck

• Seen as messengers of peace, healing, and help guide you through life’s challenges

Eagle = Yuxwule’

• Represents grace, power, and wisdom

• Sacred and noble creature

• Symbolize love, wonder, beauty, and positivity

• Eagle feathers are used in many important ceremonies, and display respect, courage, chieftainship, and wisdom

Wolf = Stqeeye’

• Represents loyalty, strong family ties, communication, education, understanding, and intelligence

• Has the strongest supernatural powers of all land animals

• Very social, good at communicating – uses body movement, touch and sound

Whale = Wqunus (OR Killer Whale = Qiul’lhanumustsun)

• Represent romance, harmony, and family

• Symbolize great luck, happiness, community, and protection

• Known to always work together and travel in large groups to help and protect each other

https://www.mymondotrading.com/native-meanings-symbology-myths-legends

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