Indigenous Awareness Hub

Indigenous Awareness Hub
It is important that we learn more about First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, cultures and experiences, and work together toward Truth and Reconciliation. According to the 2021 Census data, 17 per cent of Saskatchewan’s population self-identified as Indigenous; the population is younger and expected to keep growing hence cultural leaders must build their understanding of change needed to increase the participation of Indigenous peoples in the cultural eco-system in the province.
Ready to begin?
- Learn more about Truth and Reconciliation by reading, and then committing to take action, on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
- Watch/Listen/Read to build understanding of the experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in Canada. There are many resources that share how residential schools sought to “kill the Indian in the child” by removing children from their families in the effort to destroy the cultural identities and family structures of Indigenous peoples. Check out resources to learn more.
Next, take action...
- Attend events and activities hosted by Indigenous groups and leaders to help build understanding and relationships with Indigenous peoples in the province.
- Connect and partner with Indigenous cultural leaders to build inclusive programming and services.
- Honour Indigenous peoples by recognizing their outstanding achievements by celebrating National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day.
- Seek to better understand First Nations, Métis and Inuit experiences by taking part in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation each year.
- Take meaningful steps towards Truth and Reconciliation.
Attend
Joining celebrations of Indigenous peoples’ achievements is an important part of building relationships with First Nations and Métis people in the province, as is participating in events and dates that publicly commemorate the painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools.
There are many events and activities throughout the year that people can join to gain a better understanding of Indigenous peoples and cultures. Check out the provincial Events Calendar for some of the many activities that take place each year throughout the province.
Watch
- Canadians Have Been Breaking Their Promises to Indigenous People - Tasha Hubbard, CBC Docs
- How to Create a Reconciliation Plan
- How to Engage Effectively with First Nations Communities and Governments
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation - YouTube Channel
- Traditional Knowledge Keepers Video Series - Royal Saskatchewan Museum
- Phyllis Webstad's Presentation on Orange Shirt Day
- What Non-Indigenous Canadians Need to Know
- Stolen Children: Residental School Survivors Speak Out - CBC News: The National
- 8th Fire: Wab Kinew's Walk Through History - CBC
- What is Reconciliation? Indigenous Educators Have Their Say
- Namwayut: We Are One
- We Were Children - International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Trailer
- Separating Children from Parents: The Sixties Scoop in Canada
- Orange Shirt Day Stories 2020
- Wîcihitowin Indigenous Engagement Conference Video Archives
- Sharing Traditional Knowledge of the Land in the Cypress Hills
- Knowledge Keepers - Sharing Stories of a Métis Community - Indian Head Museum
Listen
- Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's - Connie Walker
- Native Currents Podcast
- All My Relations Podcast
- The Jig is Up Podcast
- Still Here Still Healing - Jade Roberts
- Residential Schools - Historica Britannica
- Truth Before Reconciliation
- Reconcile. Everyday Conversations - Warren Isbister Bear, City of Saskatoon
- Residential Schools Podcast Series - The Canadian Encyclopedia
- Unreserved with Rosanna Deerchild - CBC Radio One
- Voices from the Land Podcast - The Legacy of Hope Foundation
- Indigenous Leaders Discuss Truth and Reconciliation in the Nonprofit Sector Podcast - CharityVillage Connects
Learn
- Calls to Action Accountability Report 2022
- Métis Gathering
- 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Online Course - RBC, First Nations University of Canada, Reconciliation Education
- National Indigenous History Month
- Resources for Reconciliation/ConnectR
- First Steps as an Indigenous Ally
- #ActOnReconciliation - Saskatoon Tribal Council
- Reconciliation Saskatoon
- 150 Acts of Reconciliation - Crystal Fraser and Sara Komarnisky; A compilation of 150 everyday acts that average Canadians, as well as others, can undertake that will encourage people to think about Indigenous-settler relationships in new ways.
- Beyond 94 - Interactive Website
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Education Resources
- Did You Live Near a Residential School?
- How to be an ally during pow wow season - Catherine Hernandez, CBC Arts
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act - Bob Joseph
- Certificate of Reconciliation Studies - First Nations University of Canada
- Indigenous Canada - University of Alberta; Take as a credit, a certificate or a free online course
- Residential Schools in Saskatchewan - Location Map, University of Regina
- The Decolonial Toolbox: An Educational Pathway - Free Educational Pathway by Concordia University, Mikana and the Montreal Indigenous Community NETWORK
- Authentic Engagement of First Nations and Métis Traditional Knowledge Keepers - The Wîcihitowin Conference Committee
- Indigenous Protocols for the Visual Arts - CARFAC
- ayisiyiniwak A Communications Guide - The City of Saskatoon in partnership with the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner
Read
- How Do You Like Your Reconcilation?
- Summary Report of 2nd National Gathering on Unmarked Burials
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, 2015
- Truth and Reconciliation Reading List - ConnectR
- Read for Reconciliation - Regina Public Library
- Orange Shirt Day and Honouring Residential School Survivors Book List - Saskatoon Public Library
- OTC Recommended Reads on Reconciliation - CKUW 95.9FM Podcast
- Smudging Spaces with Aaron Tootoosis - Webinar hosted by Prairie Central District for Sport, Culture and Recreation
Act
- Create your ReconciliACTION Plan
- 10 Things You Can Do: Kamloops Residential School
- Activities for Orange Shirt Day
- Orange Shirt Day Activities
- Support Indigenous Businesses, Indigenous Business Directory, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce
Donate
- Legacy of Hope Foundation
- Orange Shirt Society
- ProMetals Every Child Matters, proceeds going to scholarships for Indigenous Youth, proudly supported by Pasqua First Nation
- Reconciliation Canada
- Truth and Reconciliation Week Fund, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Connect
- Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan
- Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN)
- First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv)
- Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI)
- Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre Company
- Regina Aboriginal Professionals Association
- Sâkêwêwak Artists’ Collective
- Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC)
- Saskatchewan Ânskohk Writers’ Circle Inc. (SAWCI)
Some of the resoures identified in this list were excerpted from Celebrating Orange Shirt Day, prepared by the Regina Chamber of Commerce.