Indigenous Legacy Initiatives
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We are committed to reconciliation and ensuring that the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is never forgotten in order to build a better Canada for all of us.
Embedded Files
Secondary Leadership
CONTACT THE TEAM
CONTACT THE TEAM
Material and Resource: Melanie Bujold - Social Services Officer- PSD, SWLSB
In-School Connections: Daniel Johnson, Personal Development Animator - PSD, SWLSB
Reconciliation is unique for each school community, we work to support those journeys.
Start Small and Grow.
A Guide to First Nations Territory Acknowledgments.
Hello – Tansi – Taanishi – Halu – Kwe’ – Nú – Bonjour!
“We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional unceded territory of the Omàmìwininìwag (Algonquin) and Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ peoples.
We acknowledge and thank the diverse Indigenous people whose footsteps have marked this territory on which we now gather.”
(Prevost Region)
Land Identification Tool: Traditional Territory.
The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board is on land which is traditional territory of the Kanien’keha:ka Nation (Mohawk). The Kanien’keha:ka Nation is also known as the “Eastern Door Keepers” and are a member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy which also includes the Seneca, Cayuga, Tuscarora, Onondaga and Oneida Peoples.
Our history will not be our future.
Our history will not be our future.
SEPTEMBER 30th
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.
JUNE
National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
Honouring Experiences - Celebrating Resiliency
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation recognizes the tragic legacy of residential schools, the missing children, the families left behind and the survivors of these institutions.
September 30, 2021, marked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day that coincides with Orange Shirt Day.
The Survivors’ Flag is an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada, who were consulted in the flag’s creation.
Partnerships with Elders in Education and Reconciliation.
Partnerships with Elders in Education and Reconciliation.
Building relationships in partnership with Elders is a vital step toward reconciliation. These partnerships:
Honor Indigenous ways of knowing
Center Indigenous voices in curriculum and community initiatives
Create space for intergenerational learning and healing
When educators and institutions collaborate with Elders, they help bridge cultural gaps and promote respectful, inclusive learning environments. This approach supports the TRC’s Calls to Action, particularly those focused on education and cultural revitalization.
Our approach is focused to support the growth of authentic and meaningful reconciliation in each of our SWLSB schools with Indigenous people.
LISTEN - LEARN - DO BETTER
LESSONS, TOOLS, & ACTVITIES TOWARD RECONCILIATION
Resources have been sourced from credible Canadian institutions supporting Truth & Reconciliation through Indigenous leadership, voices, and experiences.
Resources are also constructed in partnership with Elders Niioie:ren, Tiohatehkwen, teachers Michael Rice, Tania Arquilla, consultant Dan Hedges, and Cheryl Smith.
Reconciliation is unique for each school community, we work to support those journeys.
Start Small and Grow.
LISTEN -
LEARN -
DO BETTER
"Do, whenever possible, allow Indigenous people to speak for themselves. Inviting local Indigenous knowledge keepers into your classroom is an opportunity to forge new and ongoing relationships. If an Indigenous person cannot be present, there are excellent and well-vetted videos available." – Dr. Kate Freeman, Shawn McDonald, and Dr. Lindsay Morcom in "Truth and Reconciliation in YOUR Classroom." - Queens University Library
Browse LEARN for access to Teacher and Student Resources and browse various opportunities for Professional Development.
More Info: Melanie Bujold - Social Services Officer- PSD, SWLSB
VIDEOS
VIDEOS
KIDS NEWS: What is Reconciliation
Teaching the basics about Residential Schools to children!
Namwayut: we are all one. Truth and reconciliation in Canada
THE STORY OF THE ORANGE SHIRT (10:07)
The Orange Shirt Story is a true tale that details the journey of one young Indigenous girl to residential school.
LESSONS, GUIDES, & TEMPLATES
LESSONS, GUIDES, & TEMPLATES
K-6
Template for students to express their solidarity and thoughts about the tragic history of residential schools.
K-12
Residential Schools & Reconciliation
Resources and ideas to help you with understanding and planning Orange Shirt Day, the Residential School System of Canada, and much more.
Grades K-6
These lessons are meant to help students better understand and relate to people who were forced to attend residential schools. Elements of social studies, language arts, math and the arts support one another in this interconnected, holistic lessons that are rooted in culture, story and history.
Queens University, Faculty of Education
Grades K-6
A guide to help students understand gratitude and connection through Kanien’keha:ka culture and traditions.
Grades K-4
A guide to help students explore learning outside while appreciating Kanien’keha:ka culture and traditions.
Here you will find many resources to help you bring First Nations, Metis and Inuit ('FNMI') themes into both your classroom and your wider learning community.
Coming Soon
Grades 7-11
Understand the Creation Story in Kanien’keha:ka culture and traditions.
Coming Soon
Grades 7-11
Understand the Wampum in Kanien’keha:ka culture and traditions.
Coming Soon
Grades 7-11
Understand the Peacemaker in Kanien’keha:ka culture and traditions.
RESOURCES -Lesson Plans on Residential Schools, Truth & Reconciliation
RESOURCES -Lesson Plans on Residential Schools, Truth & Reconciliation
We respectfully promote and advance research in areas related to the legacy of residential schools. Academic and community-based researchers can access material.
Assembly of First Nations Tool Kit - Residential Schools – User Guide (Download)
Various Learning Models; The AFN Toolkit consists of 22 learning modules that have been designed to enhance the understanding of important First Nations topics to ensure both students and teachers are learning in and out of the classroom. Pre-contact, treaties, languages, residential schools, to current understanding.
BC Teacher's Federation: The Gladys We Never Knew
The Gladys We Never Knew is a lesson plan that follows the story of Gladys Chapman, a young girl that passed away while at Residential School. The link above will take you to the e-book, and you can find additional information here.First Nations Education Steering Committee (BC)
The First Nations Education Steering Committee in BC has put together teacher resource guides on the IRS and the path to reconciliation at three grade levels (grade 5, 10, 11/12), all of which contain activities and additional literature. - Queens University LibrarySecret Path Lesson Plans
A selection of lesson plans produced by educators across Canada for Gord Downie's The Secret Path, a picture book about Chanie Wenjack, an Anishinaabe boy who passed away trying to escape residential school.Stolen Lives: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the Indian Residential Schools
Stolen Lives was produced by the Facing History and Ourselves Organization. It walks students and teachers through the establishment and ongoing legacy of the IRS.What Can I Contribute to Meaningful Reconciliation?
A teaching and learning resource produced by the Critical Thinking Consortium and the Grand Erie District School Board (BC). Use the keyword search to select resources that meet your needs. Explore our collections that feature a variety of themes and types of resources, all featuring a critical inquiry approach. Bookmark and save your favorites to create your own collection of easy-to-find resources.150 DAYS OF RECONCILI-ACTION #NEXT150 - Reconcili-ACTION happens one step at the time and each of the #Next150 challenges will give you a clear idea of what your next step can be. If you’re unsure of what action you can take as an individual to move our country to true Reconciliation, you’re in the right place.
Advocating for Women's Rights. Assembly of First Nations - Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women information and data. First Nations Women in Leadership: Advice for Leaders
For books, take a look at the Primary Junior Social Justice Resources – Residential Schools
400 Indigenous Resources; Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary.
For resources that can support your professional learning, Queens University Professional Library.
Multimedia Resources on Residential Schools
Multimedia Resources on Residential Schools
Google Earth: Canada's Residential Schools
A collaboration between Canadian Geographic and the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation. Students are able to read about the history of residential schools while being taken to corresponding locations on Google Earth.Thalit Sqwelqwel Stories of Truth
Produced in BC, this website is meant to be a resource on Residential Schools. Contains videos and links to additional resources.
This resource are for teachers and staff who want to learn from Elders and experts.
A charitable social enterprise offering excellent outdoor learning training, tools and resources, with 100% of proceeds supporting outdoor learning non-profit initiatives. .
SWLSB LAND-BASED LEARNING DAY
SWLSB LAND-BASED LEARNING DAY
Established by teacher Michael Rice, with the support of Tamar Kabassakalian, and Secondary Student Leaders, in partnership with Elders and Knowledge Keepers of the Kanien’keha:ka Nation.
Free experiential learning for Cycle 3 and Secondary; a day of transformational learning at the Kahnawà:ke Longhouse.
LISTEN -
LEARN -
DO BETTER
April 2026
April 2026
ACTIVE RECONCILIATION: INDIGENOUS RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDING, CULTURAL APPRECIATION & EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING.
Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and partners will present their culture and traditions at the Longhouse in Kahnawà:ke.
We are working with local, provincial and federal partners to provide one yellow school bus, materials, and animators for each participating school to attend a full day of relationship building and experiential learning.
Themes are:
Relationship with and responsibility for nature
Community and relationships with each other
Symbols, traditions, artistic expression, and knowledge sharing
Historical truths and consequence of colonization
More Info: Daniel Johnson, Personal Development Animator - PSD, SWLSB
SCHEDULE
9:00 Welcome Ceremony
TRUTH: History and Creation Story
12:00 Lunch; Artistic & Athletic demonstrations
13:00-15:00 RECONCILIATION: Dancing, drumming, cultural learning.
15:00 - Planning Reconciliation Steps at your school
16:00 Departure Ceremony
SWLSB NATION BUILDING
Student leaders work in partnership with international, federal, territory, provincial, local government, and First Nations leaders on current issues.
Free experiential learning; Secondary Student Leadership in Ottawa - Elementary Student Leaders in Rosemere.
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LEARN -
DO BETTER
The NextGEN Assembly of Leaders is a hybrid event that will take place virtually and in-person at Parliament, in partnership with Senator Tony Loffreda, the Senate of Canada, and schools across Canada. The NextGEN Assembly invites all politicians from all political parties in Canada.
A politician will meet with your student leadership team to exchange ideas about current issues before the government.
April 2026
13 -Secondary
16 -Elementary
"Our history will not be our future!"
More Info: Daniel Johnson, Personal Development Animator - PSD, SWLSB
RESOURCES & PROGRAMS
Support for classrooms, ECAs, student leaders, and schools.
ANKOSÉ – EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED – TOUT EST RELIÉ
More Info: Melanie Bujold - Social Services Officer- PSD, SWLSB
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LEARN -
DO BETTER
Are you connected? - LEARNING & CITIZENSHIP -
Are you connected? - LEARNING & CITIZENSHIP -
DWF provides access to education on the true history of Indigenous people in Canada and the history and legacy of Residential Schools, and encourages reconciliation by way of our programming and events for schools.
More Info: Melanie Bujold - Social Services Officer- PSD, SWLSB
THE SECRET PATH - Story
Gord Downie began Secret Path as ten poems incited by the story of Chanie Wenjack, a twelve year-old boy who died fifty years ago on October 22, 1966, in flight from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School near Kenora, Ontario, walking home to the family he was taken from over 400 miles away. Gord was introduced to Chanie Wenjack (miscalled “Charlie” by his teachers) by Mike Downie, his brother, who shared with him Ian Adams’ Maclean’s story from February 6, 1967, “The Lonely Death of Charlie Wenjack.”
The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for more than 19 years.
The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential School System (RSS) and subsequent Sixties Scoop (SS) on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities to promote healing and Reconciliation.
Part of the LHF’s goals are to provide needed resources for schools.
TEACHING & LEARNING RESOURCES
TEACHING & LEARNING RESOURCES
LISTEN -
LEARN -
DO BETTER
Indigenous_Perspectives_Timeline.pdf100_Years_of_Loss_Teacher_Guide.pdfAlly_toolkit_for_printing_2023_compressed.pdfteacher_resource_guide_grade_5.pdfCarte_24H.pdfIntegratingAboriginalPerspectivesintoCurricula.pdfArboriginalPeoples FactFiction3ed.pdfCompetency-15-Final.pdfCEPN toolbox-parental involvement.pdfmikinak_guide_eng_web.pdfJounal_creatif_prevention_suicide_2018_eng.pdfMORE TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES, TOOLS, & SUPPORT:
The NCTR is a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience will be honoured and kept safe for future generations.
This project aims to provide elementary and high school–level teachers with curriculum-linked lesson plans designed by contemporary Indigenous artists. The goal is to build students’ cultural competence and respect for diverse Indigenous peoples, while encouraging critical thinking about colonialism in Canada.
INDIGENOUS CANADA is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.
From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.
Indigenous Canada is for students from faculties outside the Faculty of Native Studies with an interest in acquiring a basic familiarity with Indigenous/non-Indigenous relationships.
Delve into the National Film Board's vast Indigenous film collection to be inspired, spark discussion and help foster understanding.
Take advantage of all that the NFB has to offer for K-12 by subscribing to CAMPUS.
Where to Find Northern Ingredients
Where to Find Northern Ingredients
Country Food: Southern Quebec Inuit Association : Tina Pisuktie Director
sqiadirector@gmail.com
sqiahealthyrelations@gmail.com
Country Food and Youth Cultural Programs: Tasiutigiit: Stephanie Bourassa Activities Coordinator
tasiutigiit@gmail.com and
Country Food and Youth Cultural Programs : Youth Coordinator Sarah Carriere :
siaza@tasiutigiit.org
Youth Cultural Activities : Native Montreal, Youth Coordinator Michelle Desriusseaux
mdesruisseaux@nativemontreal.com
An association that supports families who are fostering or who have become guardians/ are engaged in a trans-cultural relationship with an Indigenous child https://tasiutigiit.org/food/
https://www.seadna.ca/where-to-buy/ (can buy seal and char)
ANCESTRAL LANGUAGES RESOURCES: https://www.uqat.ca/languesautochtones/ (including Mohawk and Inuktitut)
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ATLAS OF CANADA Giant Map Booking and other resources: https://cangeoeducation.ca/en/maps/indigenous-peoples-atlas-of-canada/
The Atlas is on loan to Quebec's 10 English school boards, as well as the QAIS, AJDS, FNEC, Cree SB and Kativik SB:https://forms.gle/b3snj7MwBsXvi7R46 or https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfi6RUCnAXMvryTVrOy-AJ4YMU0eQ0Hek5rVeRmlPw-l1BoA/viewform
OTHER PEDAGOGICAL GUIDES: Guides from BC: https://guides.library.ubc.ca/indigenous_ed_k12/math
OTHERS:
For Love, on Netflix: cultural camps
Project Heart: https://projectofheart.ca/what-is-project-of-heart/
Speaking Kanien'kéha (Mohawk Language)
Speaking Kanien'kéha (Mohawk Language)
Tio'tia:ke - Montreal. A Wapikoni Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMIfzELi320 (A testimony from an elder)
Want to Speak Kanien'kéha? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIDLpM9O4iQ
New prof at U of T teaches Mohawk language in hopes of saving his ancestral language: https://www.youtube.com/watch
https://premiers-peuples.fse.ulaval.ca/ressources/capsules/litterature-autochtone
Canada's History - Pedagogical Tools and Magazine
Newsletter Sign-Up: https://www.canadashistory.ca/newsletter-sign-up
Kayak in the Classroom : https://www.canadashistory.ca/education/kayak-in-the-classroom
Classroom resources and Lesson Plans: https://www.canadashistory.ca/education/classroom-resources#/?page=1&format=8b1b6045-2cae-47c2-b646-03ff251302b9
CITIZENSHIP, ENGAGMENT & ACTION STEPS
Reconcili-ACTION happens one step at the time and each of the #Next150 challenges will give you a clear idea of what your next step can be. If you’re unsure of what action you can take as an individual to move our country to true Reconciliation, you’re in the right place. If you want to take action and show others how easy it is to get started in the work and the (un)learning of Reconciliation, you’re in the right place. If you want Canada to be a safer, more prosperous, and more understanding country, you’re in the right place.
Help your students enter the largest and most recognized art & creative writing competition in Canada for Indigenous youth.
CULTURE
To get you started...
The Indigenous Music Development Program (IMDP) at Manitoba Music was launched in 2004 to support First Nation, Métis, and Inuit artists and music companies as they build sustainable careers in Manitoba’s music industry.
Sacred Fire Productions is an Indigenous non-profit organization that produces and presents events for Indigenous artists.
The National Gallery of Canada’s Collection of Indigenous Art includes First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artworks, with an emphasis on contemporary art from 1980 to the present day.
In taking inspiration from the Haudenosaunee Seventh Generation Principle, the Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada was founded in 2012 to preserve and revitalize endangered Indigenous art forms and enrich lives through Indigenous arts and culture.
Southern Quebec Inuit Association - https://www.facebook.com/SQIA2017/mentions
https://qanuikkatsiqinirmiut.ca/
https://www.avataq.qc.ca/en/Home
LISTEN -
LEARN -
DO BETTER
CONTACT THE TEAM
CONTACT THE TEAM
Material and Resource: Melanie Bujold - Social Services Officer- PSD, SWLSB
In-School Connections: Daniel Johnson, Personal Development Animator - PSD, SWLSB
Reconciliation is unique for each school community, we work to support those journeys.
Start Small and Grow.
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