The truth of our common experiences will help set out spirits free and pave the way to reconciliation.
– Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, Schedule N

 

On June 2, 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) released its final report on the Indian Residential School System. Based on six years of work, the Commission’s report concluded that the placement of 150,000 Aboriginal children in residential schools amounted to nothing short of “cultural genocide”. The report outlines 94 Calls to Action for redressing the legacy of residential schools and for advancing the process of Canadian reconciliation. Of these, there are seven recommendations that relate directly to education (recommendations 6 -12) and a further five that relate to education for reconciliation (recommendations 62 – 65). Additionally, recommendation 57 calls explicitly for professional development and training for public servants, including “skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights and anti-racism.”

 

Here are some excellent resources to help as we move forward on this important journey.

  • Paths to Reconciliation 

    Developed by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) and funded by the Government of Canada's Department of Heritage, Paths to Reconciliation includes a website and a suite of educational resources built from the first-hand accounts of residential school survivors.

  • Full Circle: First Nations, Métis, Inuit Ways of Knowing 

    Part of OSSTF’s Common Threads project, Full Circle contains cross-curricular lesson plans and resources for secondary schools, designed for use in a wide range of courses, including civics, history, social sciences, English, geography, business, careers, physical education and science.

  • Speak Truth to Power Canada 

    This adaptation of the gripping human rights project by the Canadian Teacher Federation includes testimonies by three Indigenous Canadians (Wilton Littlechild, Mary Simon and Tim Thompson), in English, French and the mother tongue of each activist (Cree, Inuktitut and Mohawk). Lesson plans can be used with students from Grades 5 to 12.

  • Joining the Circle 

    Multimedia toolkit developed by COPA and OTF, with an educator’s guide and 10 short animated films in six Indigenous languages. Topics include pride and identity, understanding racism and discrimination, building and strengthening relationships with families and nurturing safe and healthy schools and communities.

  • Legacy of Hope Foundation 

    Powerful collection of testimonies and resources from the Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) to increase awareness and knowledge of the history and legacy of the Residential School System in Canada.

  • 4 Seasons of Reconciliation 

    Multi-media resources for secondary school teachers and students, aimed at promoting awareness and reconciliation. The student assignments, including many video links, are accessible without sign-up.

  • Online Lesson Plans on Truth and Reconciliation 

    The Canadian Teachers' Federation presents elementary and secondary lesson plans, discussion questions and a list of resources, as part of its Imagineaction social justice program. Register for free to access these teacher resources and more.