Secondary Resources
CBC
Canada's Cultural Genocide of Indigenous People
This is a piece by CBC that looks at Canada’s history (Dickason and McNab, 2009) and current treatment of Indigenous people. This video touches on many issues in regards to Indigenous people in Canada and should be viewed after ample preparation and with lots of support. It touches on the horrors of residential schools (Schissel & Wotherspoon, 2003) as well as topics such as missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
Ginger Gosnell-Myers (TEDx)
Canadian Shame: A History of Residential Schools
A history of residential schools told through the daughter of a residential school survivor. Discussing the horrors that occurred (Schissel & Wotherspoon, 2003) and the effects that this had and continues to have on the community as a whole. There is also a discussion about reconciliation and how Canada compares to other countries such as Germany and New Zealand.
Gord Downie, Jeff Lemire
The Secret Path
This is an animated film, graphic novel, poem and album. It tells the story of a Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old Anishinaabe boy who died while trying to return home after escaping from a residential school in Ontario. This project shows the effects of residential schools (Schissel & Wotherspoon, 2003) through a moving art piece.
Yahgulanas
Red: A Haida Manga
The story of Red follows the nominal protagonist, Red, and his sister who are orphans in a Haida village. The community is dependent on the traders for a variety of goods and live in harmony with their neighbors and with the land. This is disrupted when raiders come and kidnap Red’s sister. Red then swears revenge on the raiders. Red grows up filled with hatred, and eventually assumes a leadership role in his community by convincing the group to support his quest for vengeance.
Knud Rasussen
Scene from The Journals of Knud Rasmussen
Insight in an Inuit Shaman life and system of beliefs. They follow taboos to avoid pain and suffering. They follow the taboos of their ancestors because they work even if their customs are different from the European ones. Their beliefs are for life into life. The shaman describes how his brothers were stillborn but, because her mother followed the taboos, he lived. He mentions states of joy and sadness similar to bipolar disorder.
Richard Wagamese
Indian Horse
The novel and corresponding film, Indian Horse, tell the story of the life of Saul Indian Horse. The story follows Saul into and through residential schools, and the difficulties that follow him based upon his traumatic experiences there. Wagamese demonstrates the spiritual drama of personal and communal trauma, resiliency, and steps towards recovery, moving towards peace.
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The link below takes you the Education page on the Indian Horse website. This website contains additional information and resources.
Richard Wagamese
One Story, One Song
Wagamese tells multiple stories, reflecting on his own life, and commenting on modern culture. The stories are broken down into the four directions of the medicine wheel, focusing on humility, trust, introspection, and wisdom. He hopes to help his readers grow and reflect with him on his own journey.
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Below is a link to an Ontario School Board's a Culturally Repsonsive Classroom. This has a guide for classroom application.
This site contains other valuable resources outside of this novel.
Michel Noel
Good For Nothing
Noel tells the story of 15-year old Nipinish, a Metis orphan who was kicked out of Residential Schools and was told he was 'good for nothing'. His story addressing closed-mindedness and ignorance, but manages to also remain hopeful and open.
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Below is a link to the Quill and Quire's review and synopsis of the novel.
Chief Lee Crowchild
Tsuu'tina Nation
Chief Crowchild explains various aspects and consequences of Treaty 7 and how the tribes ceded their rights to their traditional territory, of which they had earlier been recognized as the owners. He discusses the history of Crowchild trail, as well as discussing the importance of truth in truth and reconciliation.
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Once part of the more northerly Danezaa (‘Beaver Indians’) nation, the Tsuut’ina are part of the Athapaskan group who migrated south onto the Great Plains during the 1700s, prior to any written records of the area. The Tsuut’ina Nation is adjacent to the southwest city limits of Calgary. The northeast portion of the reserve was used as part of CFB Calgary, a Canadian Army base, from 1910–1998. In 2006, the land was returned to the Nation by the Government of Canada. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuutʼina_Nation)
CBC News
Siksika Nation
High school students from the Siksika Nation near Calgary are taking part in an archeological dig to reconnect with their history.
Prior to the 1800s, Siksika was made up of thirty-six (36) clans for a total population of 18,000. Clans grouped themselves into three main tribes which were each responsible for maintaining the boundaries of the Nation. The North Blackfoot camped along the North Saskatchewan River. The South Blackfoot protected lands as far South as the Missouri River. The Middle Blackfoot were responsible for all lands between the Rocky Mountains and the Cypress Hills. The Siksika Nation is a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy and located 45 minutes east of Calgary. (siksikanation.com)
CBC News
Search for Housing Solutions on Piikani Nation
This video shows a modern-day problem that the Piikani people are facing. There are around 2,500 living on the reserve and only around 400 homes. This means that overcrowding is a large issue.
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Before the 1870s, the Piikani people occupied territory on both sides of what is now the Canada–United States border. The Piikani are currently divided between the Blackfeet Nation (Aamsskáápipikani or Southern Piikani) located in Montana, and the Piikani Nation (Aapátohsipikáni or Northern Piikani) in Alberta. The Piikani Nation has approximately 3,600 registered members of which an estimated 40% live off reserve in nearby urban centres to meet their education, housing and employment needs. (piikanination.com )
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Jaguar Bird
Kainai Nation
This is a collection of words, photos and video clips about The Kainai/Blood People & Nation, their culture, history. Traditional dances are documented (Sun dance, Rabbit dance etc).
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AkáÃnaa translates to Many Chief. Aká meaning many and nÃnaa meaning chief. KáÃna translates directly to Many Chief people. Today, the Blood Tribe is in southern Alberta on the Blood Reserve, the largest Reserve in Canada at 1,342.9 square kilometers with a population of over 12,250 members. It is approximately 200 km south of Calgary. The Blood Tribes’ major economic base has traditionally been agriculture. (bloodtribe.org)
Metis Nation of Alberta
Metis Nation 3
On June 27, 2019, after over 90 years of perseverance and struggle, the Métis Nation of Alberta signed the first ever self-government agreement between the Government of Canada and a Métis government.
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Métis are a post-contact Indigenous people with roots in the Red River or other historic Métis communities while the word métis refers to people with mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. Alberta has the largest Métis population in the country with over 114,000 Métis people living in the province. Alberta is the only province in Canada with a recognized Métis land base entrenched in provincial statute – the Métis settlements.
Stoney Education
Stoney Nakoda Nation
A short presentation of a Nakoda school with an emphasis on traditional language and culture.
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Îyâxe Nakoda, or Mountain Nakoda, self identify as Îyethkabi or Îyethka, which translates roughly as speakers of the concise, pure or clear language of the Nakoda Sioux language. Among other tribes, the Îyâxe Nakoda warriors were known as the Wapa Makthe, a homage to the care used in their taking of enemy scalps. Stoney is a settler term used to recognize the Îyâxe Nakoda and refers to their method of cooking with heated stones.