Canadian Indigenous Resources

Key Moments in Indigenous History

Indigenous Business Directory

The Indigenous Business Directory (IBD) is an online directory that allows procurement officers and the private sector to identify Indigenous businesses. The IBD is designed to assist and support Indigenous businesses in the pursuit of business opportunities, including federal procurement. This is a public directory and available for use by all levels of government, as well as the private sector to identify Indigenous businesses.

The word Indigenous - explained - CBC

Indigenous people are the first people to live in a place. In Canada, Indigenous people belong to a number of different communities or nations. CBC Kids News’s Sid and Ruby explain.

Things to Consider at a Pow Wow

Pow Wows are cultural celebrations of pride for people of all ages. These dynamic events showcase the drums, dance, regalia, food and crafts of Indigenous Peoples and Nations all across Turtle Island, the land otherwise known as North America. Here are a few things to be mindful of while attending.

Namwayut: we are all one. Truth and reconciliation in Canada

Chief Robert Joseph shares his experience as a residential school survivor and the importance of truth and reconciliation in Canada.

Canadians have been breaking their promises to Indigenous people

In 1876, Treaty 6 negotiations ended with promises of health care, education, hunting rights and freedom in exchange for sharing the land to the depth of a plough. Instead, the Canadian government passed the Indian Act which pushed Indigenous people onto reserves. Violence and hunger were used to force assimilation and colonialism when leaders like Big Bear and Poundmaker tried to fight back.

Exploring treaties and treaty relationships with Dr. Donald Julien and Chief Paul Prosper

When the Mi’kmaw Saqmaq agreed to the Peace and Friendship Treaties with the British in the 1700s they were extending an offer to live in Mi’kma’ki as part of msɨt no’kmaq. Through this invitation to a treaty relationship, they sought to live in peace and friendship. Join Dr. Donald Julien and Chief Paul Prosper as they explore the treaties and the treaty relationships that have existed here in Mi'kma'ki for generations.

Native Land

Native Land is a resource to learn more about Indigenous territories, languages, lands, and ways of life. We welcome you to our site.

TRC: Calls to Action

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission published 94 "calls to action" urging all levels of government — federal, provincial, territorial and aboriginal — to work together to change policies and programs in a concerted effort to repair the harm caused by residential schools and move forward with reconciliation.

Explore Beyond 94

The site provides up-to-date status reports on each call to action, as well as extensive summaries explaining those status reports. It includes in-depth features and short video documentaries that tell some of the community stories behind the calls to action. It also features residential school survivors sharing their experiences.

Calls to Action Booklet

In this booklet, you will find the TRC’s 10 principles of Reconciliation, the 94 calls to action and the 46 articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). These documents are instruments of Reconciliation that should be read and considered together.

The first principle of Reconciliation confirms that UNDRIP is the framework for Reconciliation for all sectors of Canadian society. The other nine principles serve as guides to assist in repairing the damaged relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Residential School History (online exhibit)

This site houses digital copies of public records related to the Indian residential school system and other colonial policies imposed on Indigenous peoples in Canada. The records are brought together from the collections of diverse partner organizations and from individual donors. They include Survivor and Intergenerational Survivor testimonies, events and hearings from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, photographs, and government and church documents.

How to talk about Indigenous people

Ever wonder how to use the proper terms when referring to Indigenous Peoples? Inuk journalist Ossie Michelin has a friendly how-to guide. To read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous

Destination Indigenous

Destination Indigenous is a comprehensive website promoting Indigenous culture in Canada. It provides information on powwows, traditional dances, and ceremonies. With event calendars, articles, photo galleries, and resources, the site fosters cultural appreciation and understanding of Indigenous traditions.

Telling our Twisted Histories podcast

On May 31, CBC launched a brand new podcast called Telling our Twisted Histories, a series that reclaims Indigenous history by exploring words whose meanings have been twisted by centuries of colonization.

Directed by Ossie Michelin and hosted by Kaniehti:io Horn (Letterkenny, The Man in the High Castle), the 11-episode series guides listeners through conversations with more than 70 people from 15 Indigenous communities whose lands now make up Quebec, New Brunswick and Labrador.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)

The National Inquiry’s Final Report reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The two volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across the country.

The Sixties Scoop Explained - CBC

It was a sad period in our past when Indigenous children lost their names, languages and connection to their heritage.

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007, by a majority of 144 states in favour, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Samoa and Ukraine)

21 things you may not know about the Indian Act

The Indian Act has been a lightning rod for criticism and controversy over the years, widely attacked by First Nations people and communities for its regressive and paternalistic excesses.

National Center for Truth and Reconciliation

The NCTR was created as part of the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). The TRC was charged to listen to Survivors, their families, communities and others affected by the residential school system and educate Canadians about their experiences. The resulting collection of statements, documents and other materials now forms the sacred heart of the NCTR.

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples

The Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) concerns government policy with respect to the original historical nations of this country. Those nations are important to Canada, and how Canada relates to them defines in large measure its sense of justice and its image in its own eyes and before the world.

Find a Friendship Centre

The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) represents over 100 Friendship Centres and Provincial/Territorial Associations (PTA) from coast-to-coast-to-coast that make up the Friendship Centre Movement. As of 2021, there are 125 active Friendship Centres (FCs) and 7 Provincial/Territorial Associations (PTAs). Of this number, 95 Friendship Centres and 6 PTAs are NAFC Members.

Use the interactive map above to find a Friendship Centre near you!

Indigenous Cinema

Discover the National Film Board’s rich online collection of Indigenous-made films.

Incident at Restigouche

On June 11 and 20, 1981, the Quebec Provincial Police (QPP) raided Restigouche Reserve, Quebec. At issue were the salmon-fishing rights of the Mi’kmaq. Because salmon has traditionally been a source of food and income for the Mi’kmaq, the Quebec government’s decision to restrict fishing aroused consternation and anger.

Dancing Around the Table, Part One

Dancing Around the Table: Part One provides a fascinating look at the crucial role Indigenous people played in shaping the Canadian Constitution. The 1984 Federal Provincial Conference of First Ministers on Aboriginal Constitutional Matters was a tumultuous and antagonistic process that pitted Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau and the First Ministers—who refused to include Indigenous inherent rights to self-government in the Constitution—against First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders, who would not back down from this historic opportunity to enshrine Indigenous rights.

Dancing Around the Table, Part Two

Dancing Around the Table: Part Two charts the battle to enshrine Indigenous rights in the Canadian Constitution, capturing a key moment in Canada’s history from the perspective of Indigenous negotiators. The 1985 conference, chaired by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, was the fourth and final meeting to determine an amendment to Indigenous rights as defined in the Constitution. The provincial premiers again refuse to reach an agreement with the First Nations, Metis and Inuit leaders, even though the majority of Canadians supported the inclusion of Indigenous rights to self-government.

Duty to Consult

The Government of Canada has a duty to consult, and where appropriate, accommodate Indigenous groups when it considers conduct that might adversely impact potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights.

Haida Nation v. British Columbia

In 1961 the provincial government of British Columbia issued a "Tree Farm Licence" (TFL 39) over an area of land to which the Haida Nation claimed title. This title had not yet been recognized at law. The Haida Nation also claimed an Aboriginal right to harvest red cedar in that area. In 1981, 1995, and 2000 the Minister replaced TFL 39; in 1999 the Minister authorized a transfer to Weyerhauser Co. These actions were performed unilaterally, without consent from or consultation with the Haida Nation. The Haida Nation brought a suit, requesting that the replacement and transfer be set aside.

The chambers judge found that the Crown was under a moral – but not legal – duty to negotiate with the Haida Nation. The British Columbia Court of Appeal reversed this decision, deciding that both the Crown and Weyerhauser Co. are under legal obligations to consult with Aboriginal groups whose interests may be affected.

Assembly of First Nations

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations people in Canada which includes more than 900,000 people living in more than 600 First Nation communities in cities and town across the country. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern. The AFN hosts two Assemblies a year where mandates and directives for the organization are established through resolutions directed and supported by the First Nations in Assembly (elected Chiefs or proxies from member First Nations).

What is Jordan’s Principle?

Jordan’s Principle is a legal requirement resulting from the Orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) and is not a policy or program. Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle that aims to eliminate service inequities and delays for First Nations children. Jordan’s Principle states that any public service ordinarily available to all other children must be made available to First Nations children without delay or denial.

Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business

CCAB builds bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, businesses, and communities through diverse programming, providing tools, training, network building, major business awards, and national events.

Moose Hide Campaign Development Society

The Moose Hide Campaign is a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children. Organizers distribute moose hide pins at both regional and national gatherings, which include a day of fasting. People of all ages, backgrounds, and gender identities are welcome to attend Moose Hide Campaign events.

Building an ally: non-Indigenous people share their stories of bridge building

What does it mean to support and stand with the Indigenous community? Some non-Indigenous people have been viewed as an ally, but what does it mean to them to be a cross-cultural bridge builder?

First Contact in the Americas