Indigenous Education Resources
The history of Indigenous education in the land of Canada is one filled with pain and trauma, grounded in the deep legacy of the residential school system. Much was stolen and lost in a weaponized education system designed to enact cultural and actual genocide upon First Nations. This past needs to be acknowledged in order to walk a new and hopeful path forward for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples alike. Bringing an Indigenous perspective into formal classrooms and informal teaching situations and better supporting Indigenous students makes all education richer, healthier and gives us the potential to build a better future for Canada together.
“Indigenous education is based on Indigenous philosophies. It’s also about [the] relationship and interconnectedness of all things...you realize your responsibility, you realize the real reciprocity.”
Articles
“Education of Indigenous Peoples in Canada,” The Canadian Encyclopedia
“History of Residential Schools,” The Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada
“Indigenous Land-Based Learning,” Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario
“Key Components of Indigenous Pedagogies – Literature Review,” Indspire
“Paths to Reconciliation: An Overview of the Current Educational Landscape,” Indspire
“Supporting Success for Indigenous Students,” Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Videos
Other Resources
Braided Learning: Illuminating Indigenous Presence through Art and Story, by Susan D. Dion
Empowering the Spirit: Educational Resource to Support Reconciliation
Four Directions Teaching, a narrated resource for learning about Indigenous knowledge and philosophy from five diverse First Nations in Canada
Land as Teacher, UNESCO IdeaLab
National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education (NCCIE)
Resurgence: Engaging with Indigenous Naratives and Cultural Expressions In and Beyond the Classroom, edited by Katya Adamov Ferguson, Christine M'Lot
UBCx: Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education, online course from UBC taught by Jan Hare, advancing reconciliation in classrooms, organizations, and communities through the teaching and learning of Indigenous ways of knowing
Walking Together: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Perspectives in Curriculum, a resource for educators
Wawahte, documentary film that tells the stories of residential school survivors
Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies: An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education, by Jo Chrona
Image detail: Screen capture of the Muscowequan Indian Residential School, from Episode 4, Season 1 TREATY ROAD.