Activity Guide Overview
This activity guide contains links to the curriculum and provides numerous activities based on inquiry. The videos that are embedded on this website have activities and guiding questions for the classroom teacher within the activity guide to be used as prompts for further inquiry or can be used as-is.
The activities are based on these key understandings:
- Indigenous civilizations have always been here
- Indigenous civilizations are sophisticated and complex societies
- Everything is grounded in relationships and connection with the land
- Indigenous civilizations are diverse throughout this land.
Students will be exposed to Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being by examining both past and present ways of life in order to deepen their appreciation of how these key aspects can enhance their own understanding of their relationship to Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous languages will also be embedded to enhance learning and provide authentic, accurate information from direct sources (e.g., language speakers such as Oneida, Anishinaabe, Oji-Cree and Cree).
Getting Started: Click the buttons below to download your Teachers Guide (PDF).
Kitchinuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation
ENGLISH
FRANÇAIS
Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation
ENGLISH
FRANÇAIS
Chapleau Cree First Nation
ENGLISH
FRANÇAIS
Oneida Language Sound Files
Truth & Reconciliation Classroom Resources
The completion of this teacher resource would not have been possible without the contributions of many individuals across Ontario. This video resource includes the voices from 4 First Nation communities in Ontario.
Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation
There were many individuals who braved the much beyond freezing temperatures to join us at the Roundhouse and on Lake of the Woods for ceremonies and teachings. Chi-miigwetch (big thank you) to Katherine Jack for organizing the weekend. Miigwetch (miigwetch) to Katherine, Douglas Sinclair and Sandra Indian for sharing their knowledge and teachings of the Anishinaabe. Miigwetch to the Ogitchidaakweg (women who lead us) for their ceremonies; Hazel Copenace, Sherry Copenace, Virginia Big George, Dorothy Copenace and others. Also to drum keeper James Spruce Jr and his many helpers. Miigwetch to the Elders who were with throughout the weekend, Maakaade Kinew (Fred Kelly) and Memenosiimok (Catherine Kelly).
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation
We acknowledge the many contributors from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug in the creation of this resource. We thank the many individuals who supported the team while they visited the community. We would like to express sincere appreciation to the individuals who were willing to share their knowledge of the community and its history; Nova Mckay, Christian Sainnawap, Darryl Sainnawap, Chief Donny Morris, Jack Mckay, Lysanne Mckay, Elder Sarah Jane Mckay, Beatrice Fox, and Elders Jakob and Elsie Nanokeesic.
Chapleau Cree First Nation
The Chapleau Cree portion of this resource was created with the invaluable contributions from a number of members of the Fox Lake community. Special appreciation and gratitude to the following people:
Elder John Saylor and Elder Norma Caldwell for their incredible willingness to share wisdom and knowledge. Band administrator Edith Larocque for her sharing knowledge of hunting, harvesting and sustenance practices. Student support worker Sandra Ruffolo for accounts of Indigenous ways of knowing positively impacting all students. Chief Keith Corston for sharing his extensive knowledge of geography, history and culture. Band council member Steven Caldwell for coordinating the timing of interviews and his incredible generosity without which this portion of the project would never have happened.
Oneida of the Thames First Nation
The Oneida contributors are Lu Ann Smith, Colin Ireland, Ray John Jr.
Lu Ann has been in education for nearly 35 years, 18 of those years dedicated to teaching Oneida language to indigenous students. Colin worked at Standing Stone school for 5 years as an educational assistant and taught Oneida language to students of all grades. Colin has also been working as a resource teacher for many years and has developed curriculum for understanding how to breakdown Oneida language for indigenous students and community members. Ray has been working in the education system for nearly 25 years. He dedicates his work to help break-down barriers for learning and is currently working as a resource teacher for London District Catholic School Board.
Activity Guide Writing Team
Tesa Fiddler
Samantha May
Kyl Morrison
Jodie Williams
Educational Videos produced by
Productions Cazabon & the team at ReconciliationEducation.ca
Embedding TRC Resource Into Online Classroom
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE ENGAGING WITH INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
Please download the full document below.
