Learn about Treaty 7 and the Nations found on this land

Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Piikani, Kainai), Stoney Nakoda (Bearspaw, Wesley, Chiniki), Tsuut’ina Nation and Metis Nation Region 3

• Blackfoot Crossing - Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is a world renowned cultural, educational and entertainment Centre built for the promotion and preservation of the Siksika Nation Peoples’, Language, Culture and Traditions.
• Whyte Museum - The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies acquires, preserves, interprets and makes accessible the history and culture of the Rocky Mountains of Canada by inspiring and cultivating the exchange of knowledge and ideas through our collections, programs and exhibitions.
• Glenbow Museum
  • Permanent Exhibitions
  • Collections
• Canadian Geographic - Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada - learn online

Go Outside and Connect With the Land

• Land Acknowledgement - What lessons do the Elders share with us?
• Walk your dog, walk by the river or in the trees
• play games outside using rocks, sticks, dirt, snow – always give thanks to the land
• Sit quiet and watch (the river, birds, the wind, the stars…)
• Build a fort

More Activities...

• Be with family, model how to interact with the world
• Tell stories together
  • What makes a good story? – a moral lesson, a lesson about the land, plants, animals, etc.
• Spend time learning intergenerationally
  • Grammas and Grandpas, cousins, siblings
• Cook together , use local ingredients if possible
• Listen to music or sing songs together
• Learn your own roots.
  • Where do you come from?
  • What land do you come from?
  • What do you know about your ancestors?

Learn about Indigenous Dance

What is the significance of the dances? Where do they come from? Here are some types of dances to get you started...

• Hoop dancing
• Métis jig
• Jingle dance
• Pow Wow (Traditional, Grass, Fancy, and Jingle)

Listen to Indigenous Content Podcasts

• The North (Indigenous History) - This episode explores the history and geography of the North; examines the distinct culture, language and politics of the Inuit; and recognizes the impacts of colonization on the Inuit.
• Water (Indigenous History) - Explores the importance of water to traditional trade and transportation routes, analyzes how settlement impacted Indigenous access to land and water, and investigates the current water crisis in Canada.
• The Indian Act (Indigenous History) - Explores the federal law that overhauled settler-Indigenous relations.
• Think Indigenous - Highlights its yearly conference keynotes & "Red Talk" presentations sharing best practices, innovation and delivery models of Indigenous education.

Watch Indigenous Film and TV...

• National Film Board of Canada - Indigenous Cinema
• APTN - Aboriginal Peoples Television Network - Stories about First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
  • APTN Kids - Commercial-free, authentic Indigenous programming your child can grow with.

Movies suggestions (to be vetted by parents):

• Angry Inuk
• The Grizzlies
• The Pass System
• Finding Peter Bryce
• Indian Horse

Learn about local First Nations drum groups & Canadian Contemporary/traditional singers

This is a starting point, not an exhaustive list and parental discretion may be required.

• Darcy Turning Robe (Siksika)
• Blackfoot Confederacy Singers
• Eya Hey Drummers (Stoney Nakoda)
• Northern Cree (Northern Alberta)
• A Tribe Called Red
• Tanya Tagaq
• William Prince

Explore books written by Canadian Indigenous authors

This is a starting point, not an exhaustive list...

• Richard Van Camp
• Monique Grey Smith
• David Alexander Robertson
• Calgary Library - Treaty 7 Language Books (written by local authors)

ART: Explore local and Canadian Indigenous art/artists

This is a starting point, not an exhaustive list...

• Arts Commons - Discover and celebrate local artists
• Calgary Public Library - Learn more about local artists
• Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society - The Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society explores the historical significance of the events at Blackfoot Crossing in 1877, while investigating the consequences and implications of Treaty 7, 141 years later. The Society invites people of all ages and backgrounds to consider an enlightened, sustainable future for everyone – together.

Additional Resources

• Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada - In this atlas, you will find outstanding reference maps of Indigenous Canada, as well as a section devoted to Truth and Reconciliation, including detailed pages on many aspects of the topic with contemporary and historical photography, maps and more. There’s also a glossary of common Indigenous terms.
• Empowering the Spirit - Educational resources to support reconciliation
• Indigenous Services - Calgary Public Library - Resources
• Indigenous Insights Series (ASBA) - Recognizing the multiplicity of nation, voice, community and teachings of Indigenous peoples in Alberta, along with the diversity of experience of school board trustees, the Indigenous Advisory Circle members envisioned a series of videos in which they could provide a foundational level of knowledge upon which Boards could build within the territory where they live and work.
• Indigenous Corporate Training Blog - The ICT mission is to provide training to get everyone Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® in their day-to-day jobs and lives. We do this by providing a safe training environment for learners to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitude required to be effective.
• First Nations Education Steering Committe (FNESC - BC) - The First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) is a policy and advocacy organization that represents and works on behalf of First Nations in British Columbia. FNESC has a mandate to support First Nations Nations students and advance First Nations education in BC.