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COLONIAL LEGACY

Alberta Education states that we are committed to teaching about the perspectives and experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in the general Education curriculum. On March 27th of 2014, the Government of Alberta affirmed this statement in Edmonton at a Truth and Reconciliation Commission event (2014):


"Reconciliation has the power to bring light and healing into the dark history of the Indian Residential School system and its profound legacy of harm to student survivors and their families.


The operation of the Indian Residential Schools resulted in the devastation of Aboriginal language and culture. The damaging effects for many of the 12,000 children who attended the 25 residential schools in Alberta still endure for school survivors and family members who struggle today to find peace and to heal from past wrong-doing.


Reconciliation is a powerful spirit of understanding, compassion and action. True reconciliation can only be achieved if we commit to a fundamental shift in our relationship with Aboriginal people in our province...


In the spirit of reconciliation, the Government of Alberta commits that all Alberta students will learn about the history and legacy of residential schools, along with the history of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples of Canada."
 

Therefore, educators and stakeholders have a responsibility to teach about the dark, colonial legacy that have negatively impacted Indigenous peoples in Canada. This Colonial Legacy toolkit for teachers provides extensive resources for teachers who teaching their students about colonialism, residential schools, reconciliation, and Indigenous perspectives. Additional resources include links to professional learning opportunities, Indigenous digital exhibitions, lesson plans, and more.  

 


Government of Alberta. (2014). Expression of Reconciliation for the Legacy of the Indian Residential School

System. Retrieved from https://education.alberta.ca/media/563919/albertas-expression-of-reconciliation.pdf

RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

RECOMMENDED LITERATURE (RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS)

 

1. Amik Loves School (Author: Katherena Vermette, Illustrator: Irene Kuziw)

  “Amik tells his grandfather about his school. His grandfather, a residential school survivor shares his story. Amik decides to show his grandfather his school.”

ISBN: 9781553795230
Suggested Grade Levels: K-3 (ages 4-8)

 

2. Shi-Shi-Etko (Author: Nicola Campbell, Illustrator: Kim LaFave)

 “This vibrantly illustrated story tells of the last few days of Shi-shi-etko’s time with her family, before she is sent off to residential school. She takes time to appreciate the natural world around her and also take in valuable teachings from her family.”

ISBN: 0888996594
Suggested Grade Levels: K-3 (ages 4-8)

 

3. Shin-Chi's Canoe (Author: Nicola I. Campbell, Illustrator: Kim LaFave)

 “In this sequel to Shi-shi-etko, Shi-shi-etko returns to residential school for her second year. This time her younger brother, Shin-chi is with her. This time it is Shi-shi-etko who helps prepare her brother for the experience that lies ahead. The book follows a difficult year for the children, who are hungry, lonely and working extremely hard while being indoctrinated in Western ways.”

ISBN: 9780888998576
Suggested Grade Levels: K-3 (ages 4-8)

 

4. Kookum's Red Shoes (Author: Peter Eyvindson, Illustrator: Sheldon Dawson)

 “A grandmother describes being torn away from her family in this illustrated book for children.”

ISBN: 9781894717540
Suggested Grade Levels: 3-4 (ages 8-9)

 

5. I Am Not a Number (Author: Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer, Illustrator: Gillian Newland)

 “Based on the story of the author’s grandmother, I Am Not A Number revolves around an 8 year-old Irene, an aboriginal girl, being removed from her house to go to residential school. At school, she refuses to use the number that has been assigned to her, continuing to use her given name instead. Coming home after her year at school, her parents decide not to send her back and they attempt to hide her from the government agent trying to send her back.” 

ISBN: 1927583942
Suggested Grade Levels: 4-6 (ages 9-11)

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RECOMMENDED LITERATURE (LAND USE)

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1. The Elders Are Watching (Author: David Bouchard, Illustrator: Roy Henry Vickers) 

“Vickers' images of the Northwest are infused with Native Amercian imagery. His portraits empower the story's simple but dire warning: Pay close attention to the environment, our heritage and culture, because this is the only way we can learn how to reverse the tide of destruction.”

ISBN: 9781551926414
Suggested Grade Levels: 2-4 (ages 6-9)

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LESSON PLANS

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   1. Wilton Littlechild: Truth and Reconciliation Lesson Plans

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"In this lesson plan on Truth and Reconciliation you will find: (1) An interview with Chief Littlechild including his biography; (2)  Student activities that support the theme of this lesson, including reflection activities on Chief Littlechild’s life experiences, Residential Schools in Canada, the Truth and Reconciliation’s findings and recommendations on how to move forward; and (3) Three brief community defender profiles to expand the lesson and encourage students to identify with a variety of defenders for human rights." (Grades levels: 5-12)

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Littlechild, W. (n.d.) Wilton Littlechild Truth and Reconciliation. Speak Truth to Power Canada.

Canadian Teachers' Federation. Retrieved from sttpcanada.ctf-fce.ca/lessons/wilton-littlechild/

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   2. Decolonizing Math: Creating Culturally Relevant Math Lessons

 

"Many of the elements of western math instruction don’t necessarily align with the principles of Indigenous learning... A simple first step in integrating Indigenous perspectives into math content comes from integrating terminology and examples into math problems on a consistent basis.”

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Simmons, A. (2017). Decolonizing math: Creating culturally relevant math lessons. The

            Learning Bird EDNEST. Retrieved from https://blog.learningbird.com/decolonizing-           

            math-creating-culturally-relevant-math-lessons/

 

   3. Walking on the Lands of Our Ancestors

 

"The following module consists of learning material that is delivered through an Indigenous pedagogical approach... The location of this “learning on the land” is situated in the Victoria School District, British Columbia, but the module can be applied in any territory in Canada provided proper protocols with respect to working with the Indigenous nation on whose land the school is situated, are established first."

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Tenning, A. (2008). Walking on the lands of our ancestors. Canada's History. Retrieved from

            www.canadashistory.ca/Education/Lesson-Plans/Walking-on-the-Lands-of-Our-

            Ancestors

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

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Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

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Reconciliation through Education

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National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. (n.d.) Education and the NCTR. University of Manitoba. Retrieved from nctr.ca/educators.php

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Residential School Survivors Stories

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Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). The Survivors Speak: A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Retrieved from www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Survivors_Speak_2015_05_30_web_o.pdf

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94 Calls to Action

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Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. Retrieved from www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

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The Legacy of Hope

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Indigenous Digital Exhibitions

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1. Where Are The children (Digital Exhibition)

Retrieved from http://wherearethechildren.ca/en/exhibition/
Suggested Grade Levels: 10-12

 

2. Forgotten Métis (Digital Exhibition)

"It is estimated that 10% of the children that were taken to residential schools were Métis."

Retrieved from http://forgottenmetis.ca/en/exhibition/
Suggested Grade Levels: 10-12

 

3. We Were So Far Away: The Inuit Experience of Residential Schools (Digital Images)

Retrieved from http://weweresofaraway.ca/slideshow/   
Suggested Grade Levels: 10-12

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Alberta Education

 

Education for Reconciliation: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Curriculum

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Alberta Education. (n.d.). Education for Reconciliation: First Nations, Métis & Inuit Curriculum. Edmonton, AB: Alberta Education. Retrived from https://education.alberta.ca/education-for-reconciliation/first-nations-métis-inuit-curriculum/

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Indspire Webinars 

 

Professional Development Webinars


Indspire. (2017). Professional development webinars for educators who are committed to Indigenous student success. Retrieved from https://indspire.ca/for-educators/k-12- indspire-institute/webinar-search/

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Learning Bird

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Canada 150? Celebrating the Histories of Indigenous Peoples in Canada

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Schmitz, K.C. (2017a). Canada 150? Celebrating the Histories of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Learning Bird. Retrieved from https://blog.learningbird.com/canada-150-celebrating-the-histories-of-indigenous-peoples-in-canada/

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Integrating Provincial Standards and Indigenous Ways of Knowing

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Schmitz, K.C. (2017b). Integrating provincial standards and Indigenous ways of knowing. Learning Bird. Retrieved from https://blog.learningbird.com/integrating- provincial-standards-indigenous-ways-knowing/

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