District Indigenous Relations Committee Resources

CURRENT ISSUES & MOVEMENTS

Current Issues & Movements	Description
Namwayut: we are all one	In this animated CBC short film, Chief Robert Joseph shares about his experience at Residential school, the reconciliation process, and the impact it has had in his life.
Every Child Matters	The National Center for Truth and Reconciliation provides a two-part video series providing history, stories and perspectives on Residential schools.
Bringing Our Children Home	Reconciliation Canada online gatherings series hosted following the discovery of unmarked graves, discussing next steps with Indigenous leaders from across the country.
We Were Children	A feature length film from the National Film Board shares the story of two children who were taken from their homes and experienced many forms of abuse at residential schools.
10 books about residential schools to read with your kids	CBC provides a list of stories that open space for conversations about residential schools with children and youth.
The Legacy of Residential Schools and Alberta's New School Curriculum	The Canadian Race Relations Foundation, the Assembly of First Nations and Abacus Data share survey results that demonstrate the lack of understanding of Residential Schools across Alberta and the need for improved curriculum to share this knowledge in schools.
What is Orange Shirt Day	CBC Kids
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls	The in addition to the Executive Summary, Full Report, and Calls for Justice, the website for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has videos, podcasts, artwork from the Inquiry.
Highway of Tears	"Highway of Tears" by Director Matt Smiley, is about the missing or murdered women along a 724 kilometer stretch of highway in northern British Columbia.
Safe Passage	The Native Women’s Association of Canada has created this website to tell the full story and help individuals learn more about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in Canada. Includes mapping and database as well as training for various industries.

UNDRIP & TRC

TRC & UNDRIP	Description
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action	The TRC Calls to Action provide a road map for Canada to address the ongoing impacts of residential schools on Indigenous communities. They are an important first step for understanding what you, and the institutions you are part of, can do. Children and youth may want to check out Spirit Bear’s Guide to the TRC Calls to Action.
How can Canadians work towards reconciliation	In this CBC interview, Senator Murray Sinclair, Chair of the TRC, discusses the TRC process and what Canadians can do now.
215+ Pledge	Specific resources, actions, and tools that individuals and groups can use to respond to the discovery of unmarked graves at residential schools across the country.
UNDRIP	The United Nations website provides details about the history, commemorations, and full text of UNDRIP.
Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples	The Assembly of First Nations details up to date history and context of UNDRIP in Canada and explains why it is such an important document in the reconciliation process.
How UNDRIP Changes Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples	This video from Wiyasiwewin Mikiwahp Native Law Centre and Center for International Governance Innovation offers an overview on the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian Government and why UNDRIP is needed.

RESOURCES AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Resources	Description
Reconciliation: A Starting Point	A mobile app for learning about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, including key historical events and examples of reconciliation initiatives.
The Path: Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada	A series of five online modules or a full-day in-person or 6-hour virtual classroom course.
Blackfoot language program offered to Calgarians aims to keep Indigenous culture and oral traditions alive	CTV News
Indigenous Relationship to the Land Part 1	This module from the University of Alberta’s course “Indigenous Canada” looks at how land is viewed by Indigenous people.
First Nations Communities Read Awards 2021/2022	Ontario Library Services
IndigiTRAILS	Free app available on Apple and Android devices. The app uses GPS or location services to allow audiences to take part in digital art galleries and other future activities within Calgary.
Indigenous Canada	Open online free 12-week course from University of Alberta
Educator Magazine	A comic-based magazine outlining Indigenous history
https://honouringindigenouspeoples.com	Honouring Indigenous Peoples

VIDEOS/MOVIES/DOCUMENTARIES

Videos/Resources	Description
Reconciliation Begins with You and Me	Video - First Nations Child and Family and Caring Society. Youth speak about why reconciliation matters and how you can help make a difference.
Elder in the Making	Filmmakers Cowboy Smithx, a Blackfoot, and Chris Hsiung, a Chinese Canadian, agree to go on road trip across traditional Blackfoot Territory to rediscover the stories of their shared home. Presented by Story Hive.
Urban Indigenous Circle	An in-depth archive of online Indigenous speakers, teachings, and wisdom about reconciliation.
Indigenous Ally Toolkit	Developed by The Calgary Foundation, this toolkit helps the reader to understanding how society can play a role in the collective experience of creating a positive and sustainable impact on the lives of Indigenous people in Treaty Seven (7).
It's Not My Job to Teach You About Indigenous People	In her Walrus Magazine article, Mel Lefebvre shares the importance of taking initiative to do your own learning while working towards reconciliation.
https://www.indianhorse.ca/en/film	Indian Horse Film - An adaptation of Ojibway writer Richard Wagamese’s award-winning novel, this moving and important drama sheds light on the dark history of Canada’s boarding schools or Indigenous Residential Schools and the indomitable spirit of aboriginal people.
Stories of the Land: Acknowledging Treaty 7 Territory	In this video, produced by Calgary Foundation, First Nations and Metis from the Treaty 7 territory explain the importance of the land and their relationship with it.
Treaty 7 Land Acknowledgment	In this video, Henri and Charlie from Calgary Public Library, teach us the significance of the local Treaty 7 land acknowledgment.
Questioning the usefulness of land acknowledgements	This APTN special, questions whether land acknowledgements are useful in reconciliation or superficial platitudes, and what is needed for them to be meaningful.
Land Back	This Red Paper by the Yellowhead Institute is about how Canada dispossesses Indigenous peoples from the land, and what communities are doing to get it back.

CALGARY BASED INDIGENOUS AGENCIES

Agencies/Resources	Description & Website
Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary	Removes barriers and empowers the urban community through cultural reconnection, programs, services, and access to resources that address the social and economic realities. Website: https://www.afccalgary.org/
Aboriginal Multi-Media Society	https://www.ammsa.com/
Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association	https://anfca.com
Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society	Provides a broad continuum of support services, guided by Aboriginal traditional teachings that include prevention, intervention, and healing to anyone affected by any form of abuse. Website: https://www.awotaan.org/
Elbow River Healing Lodge	Offers a full range of primary care services and visiting specialists to First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis, and Inuit peoples and their families.
Indigenous Gathering Place	The Vision for a Gathering Place in Calgary - A space where we share, connect, heal, renew, and celebrate Indigenous cultures. A place to protect Indigenous practices, languages; and Elders’ wisdom, oral and written teachings among all nations and all our relations. Website: https://indigenousgatheringplace.com/
Metis Nation of Alberta	A representative voice on behalf of Metis people in Alberta. Website: www.albertametis.com
Native Counselling Services of Alberta	Promotes the resilience of the Indigenous individuals and families, through programs and services that are grounded in reclaiming interconnectedness, reconciliation of relationships, and self-determination. Website: https://www.ncsa.ca/
Riel Institute for Education and Learning	Is a non-profit society that was formed in March of 2000 in cooperation and collaboration with the Indigenous Community to accommodate the delivery of employment and training. Website: www.rielinstitute.com
Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY)	Provides essential programming and services to Calgary’s Indigenous youth between the ages of twelve and twenty-nine. Website: https://usay.ca/
Note: Guide to Indigenous Organizations and Services in Alberta: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/guide-to-indigenous-organizations-and-services-in-alberta

SPEAKERS AND SUBJECTS

Name	Contact Information
Cam Stewart Rotary Speaker	Email: cam.stewart@hotmail.com Telephone: 403.540.3067
Tim Fox Calgary Foundation Land Acknowledgements	Email: tfox@calgaryfoundation.org

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Non-Fiction

Bach, Michael. Birds of All Feathers: Doing Diversity and Inclusion Right.

Bryce, P.H. The Story of a National Crime

Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada. Canadian Geographic.

Daschuk, James. Clearing the Plains. University of Regina Press. 2013

Joseph, Bob & Cynthia F. Joseph 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act. Indigenous Relations Press. 2018

Joseph, Bob & Cynthia F. Joseph. Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips & Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality. Indigenous Relations Press. 2019 (See Note below)

Kimmerer, Robin Wall. Braiding Sweetgrass.

King, Thomas. The Inconvenient Indian. Penguin Random House. 2013

McAdam (Saysewahum), Sylvia. Nationhood Interrupted: Revitalizing nêhiyaw Legal Systems. Purich Publishing Ltd. Saskatoon. 2015

Ross, Rupert Returning to the Teachings. Penguin Canada. 1996

Ross, Rupert. Dancing With a Ghost. Penguin Canada. 2006

Treaty 7 Elders and Tribal Council with Walter Hildebrandt, Dorothy First Rider. and Sarah Carter. The True Spirit and Original Intent of Treaty 7. McGill-Queen’s University Press. 1996

Sasakamoose, Fred. Call Me Indian, From the Trauma of Residential School to Becoming the NHL's First Treaty Indigenous Player.

Wilson-Raybould, Jody. True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force for Change. McLelland & Stewart. Toronto. 2022

Note: Honouring Indigenous People (HIP – see below under websites) suggests that if you answer no to some or all the following questions and would like to learn more, you may be interested in Indigenous Relations by Chief Bob Joseph and Cynthia F. Joseph.

Do you know but want to know the difference between elected and hereditary chiefs?
Do you know but want to know the meaning and significance of such terms as smudging, Aboriginal rights, band councils' Indigenous self-government, the Doctrine of Discovery, traditional territory, tribal councils, tribal elders, and land claims?
Do you know but want to know the differences between First Nations Peoples, Metis, and Inuit and how their rights and relationship with the government differ?
Do you know but want to know how to interact with Indigenous Peoples?
Do you know but want to know the top priority issues of Indigenous Peoples?
Do you know but want to know the proper names to use with Indigenous Peoples?
Do you know how to participate in reconciliation process but want to know how?
Do you know how to build a relationship with Indigenous Peoples but want to know how?
Do you know the main barriers to Indigenous employment but would like to learn and do something about it?
Do you know why there are so many Indigenous Peoples in our prisons but want to know why?
Do you want to know why educational funding is less for Indigenous Peoples than for non-Indigenous Peoples?

Fiction

Good, Michelle. Five Little Indians.

Robinson, Eden. Monkey Beach. 2000

Robinson, Eden. Blood Sports. 2006

Robinson, Eden. Son of Trickster. 2017

Robinson, Eden. Trickster Drift. 2018

Robinson, Eden. The Return of Trickster. 2021

Wagamese, Richard. Dream Wheels.

Wagamese, Richard. Iron Horse.

Wagamese, Richard. Medicine Walk.

Wagamese, Richard. One Drum

Wagamese, Richard. Ragged Company.

Wagamese, Richard. Starlight.

Poetry

George, Chief Dan. Words to a Grandchild

Laforme, Chief R. Stacey. Living in the Tall Grass: Poems of Reconciliation

Sutter, Sandra & Jim Pearce. The Indian in the Child

Wagamese, Richard. Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations

The Vision for a Gathering Place in Calgary - A space where we share, connect, heal, renew, and celebrate Indigenous cultures. A place to protect Indigenous practices, languages; and Elders’ wisdom, oral and written teachings among all nations and all our relations.