Indigenous Communities
Indigenous communities are the First Peoples of this Land, Turtle Island, presently known as Canada. Resources here cover topics such as decolonization, reconciliation, residential school survivors, anti-Indigeneity, and Indigenous history.
2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations
2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations provides prevention education and support for 2-Spirit, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit people living with or at risk for HIV and related co-infections in the Greater Toronto Area. Their work is based on indigenous philosophies of holistic health and wellness.
21 Things You May Not Know about the Indian Act (Bob Joseph, Book)
This book offers Canadians readable overviews of the Indian Act. Understanding the act will help Canadians make reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a reality.
Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre of Winnipeg, Inc.
The Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre offers a wide range of health services to the Aboriginal community of Winnipeg including: homelessness support, IRS supports, mentoring and prevention for FASD, an more.
Aboriginal Women’s Association of PEI
The Aboriginal Women’s Association of PEI Inc (AWAPEI) is a non-profit, representative organization. AWAPEI offers many programs, projects, and services that work to enhance, support, educate, and empower the well-being of Indigenous women through capacity building, focus groups, prevention, awareness, and equal opportunities.
This site is an intentional space to explore and learn from Indigenous authored literature.
Anti-Indigenous Systemic Racism in Canadian Health Care Systems
NWAC is actively working to ensure the voices of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people are front and centre in the Government of Canada’s response to addressing antiIndigenous racism.
Article reviewing contemporary barriers to accessing healthcare faced by Indigenous people of Canada and approaches taken to mitigate these concerns. Authors: Kitching, G.T., Firestone, M., Schei, B. et al.
Children Are Sacred. Their work will strive to protect and enhance that sacredness by providing Aboriginal children and their families with holistic education, supportive social services, and programs of high quality and cultural relevance.
The aim of Circles for Reconciliation is to establish trusting, meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples as part of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The means to achieve this is the creation of small gatherings of an equal number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in discussion circles.
Could the Blackfoot Wisdom that Inspired Maslow Guide Us Now? Article
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs may have been inspired by the Siksika (Blackfoot) way of life.
Their mission is to catalyze social change to transform colonial narratives & impacts with workshop facilitation, transformative organizational development, decolonizing workbooks & communication design grounded in Squamish Matriarchy.
This article discusses the harm colonization had on indigenous people.
First Nations Child & Family Caring Society
The Caring Society works to ensure the safety and well-being of First Nations youth and their families through education initiatives, public policy campaigns and providing quality resources to support communities.
First Peoples, Second Class Treatment
This paper by Dr. Billie Allan, Dr. Janet Smylie discusses the colonization of Indigenous lands and peoples and how it has lead to the systemic racism in education, employment, the justice system, and health care.
Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund
Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Their goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada. "Secret Path" is the last album by Gordon Downie, which brought a lot of attention to the issue.
Established in 1992, the Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) is an Indigenous organization that represents Gwich’in Participants in the Mackenzie-Delta of the Northwest Territories and across Canada
How Anti-Indigeneity Proliferates Around the West and the World — High Country News.
This collection of reports reveals some of the most common attacks Indigenous communities face today.
Idle No More is an indigenous- and women-led social movement with a call for re-founded nation-to-nation relations based on mutual respect. Their vision is to encourage people to join in a peaceful revolution which honours Indigenous sovereignty and protects the land.
Indigenous Ally Toolkit | Ka Ni Kanichihk
View the toolkit and close gaps originating from a lack of knowledge about histories, cultures and perspectives of Indigenous peoples. This cooperative engagement tool creates increased awareness and understanding, informs and educates, and provides for culturally proficient and respectful workforces and communities.
RAVEN raises legal defence funds to assist Indigenous Peoples who enforce their rights and title to protect their traditional territories.
The Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada preserves and revitalizes endangered Indigenous art forms and enriches lives through Indigenous arts and culture. This site lists Indigeneous art forms and has links to specific indigeneous artists.
Indigenous Crisis Support Line
In the interactive map, you will be able to hover on each province, where hotline phone numbers will appear. All details on the lines and more resources, divided by provinces are listed below the map.
Indigenous Cultural Healing Supports
A list of cultural healing resources and mental health counselling specifically for Indigenous Peoples in Winnipeg and Manitoba is included here.
Indigenous Health: Toronto Community Resources
This resource is mass list of health-related (mental, physical, cultural, and spiritual) resources specifically for Indigenous Peoples in Toronto and the GTA.
The mission of the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association is to improve the health of Indigenous Peoples, by supporting Indigenous Nurses and by promoting the development and practice of Indigenous Health Nursing.
Find Government of Canada programs and services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Learn more about Indigenous peoples and communities.
Indigenous Resources: Truth & Reconciliation
This guide provides access to resources on Indigenous history, communities, and culture in Canada and NS, as well as government documents. It was developed in consultation with members of the Indigenous community in Nova Scotia and NSCC.
Indigenous Youth Justice Toolkit
Level, a Canadian charitable organization, developed this toolkit to help youth navigate the justice system. It is Indigenous youth led, designed, and informed.
Indigenous Youth Outreach Program
Level’s Indigenous Youth Outreach Program is an innovative justice education and mentorship program for First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth aged 11 - 18. With its focus on building relationships, the program provides the youth participants with a positive experience with the justice system during a critical time of their development.
Indspire is an Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people for the long term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.
They serve as a national voice protecting and advancing the rights and interests of Inuit in Canada
This organization has several services and resources for Indigenous Communities.
Land Back Movement - First Nation Goods
This site sells First Nations Goods. They also discuss the Land Back Movement. Land Back refers to the Indigenous-led movement to reclaim stewardship over traditional lands and ecosystems, protecting them for generations to come.
LEARN: Education for Reconciliation
LEARN works with schools, communities, and organizations in Quebec to put useful resources in the hands of educators. Their goal is to be more inclusive of Indigenous histories and to foster bonds between communities. Their website has many resources for educators use to supplement their education material.
Access Pro Bono is a small independent organization that operates a free lawyer referral service and several pro bono programs serving the critical legal needs of people and non-profit organizations across BC.
This guide is an excellent resource for educators and anyone who wants an introduction to the Indigenous peoples in the Manitoba area. It highlights the history and effects of colonialism and steps that are being taken to decolonize. The guide was made by elders, knowledge keepers, community members, and Indigenous organizations across Manitoba.
The Mino Collective an independent, grassroots group of young Indigenous people working together to solve health inequities that disproportionately affect our community. Using technology and media, our goal is to make traditional knowledge and health resources accessible to people living in Toronto. Mino Collective is developing the Mino Map, a Mobile app that supports people to live a good life. This new tool will map out community services, health resources and life promotion tools. Our initiative aims to substantially eliminate the challenges that Indigenous youth face in navigating and accessing social, cultural, and health-related resources in Toronto.
Montreal Indigenous Community Network
The Montreal Indigenous community NETWORK supports the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities living in the greater Montreal area to improve their quality of life.
National Centre for Truth & Conciliation
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.
Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
NCCT is a membership based charity organization that provides social, recreational, cultural, and spiritual services to Indigenous people in Toronto.
Native Counselling Services of Alberta
Native Land Digital strives to create and foster conversations about the history of colonialism, Indigenous ways of knowing, and settler-Indigenous relations, through educational resources such as our map and Territory Acknowledgement Guide.
Native Montreal helps improve the holistic health, cultural strength and success of Indigenous families, individuals, and community living in the greater Montreal area.
Native Women's Association of NWT
NWA is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1977 to empower and support Indigenous women and their families throughout the NWT. They are committed to being the voice of Indigenous women & to establishing relationships with all levels of government and other organizations to ensure all Indigenous women and their families will live free from social and economic distress. They also intend to promote their sacred roles as valued and respected community members, preserving their culture, language and heritage.
Newcomer Guide to Indigenous Culture
This site is an introduction to Indigenous culture to newcomers to Canada, It discusses the Inuit, First Nations, and Metis.
Prairie Spirit Connections Inc.
Prairie Spirit Connections Inc. is a non-profit, community-based organization that is dedicated to improving the conditions and well-being of Aboriginal people. The primary focus is to assist the Aboriginal community by offering programs and services to help them reconnect with their traditional cultural heritage.
Pro Bono Law Alberta (PBLA) is a nonprofit charitable organization that promotes access to justice in Alberta by creating and promoting opportunities for lawyers to provide pro bono (free) legal services to persons of limited means.
Programs for Indigenous Youth and Adults
Outward Bound Canada’s programs for Indigenous youth and young adults are intended to bring together Indigenous Peoples from across the country to experience and connect with the Land. Courses are funded by donors, offered in regions across the country, and include backpacking, hiking, canoeing and kayaking.
Project 1907 Project1907 aims to elevate voices that are underrepresented and undervalued in mainstream political, social and cultural discourse.
Reconciliation: A Starting Point
The Reconciliation: A Starting Point app is a reference tool for learning about First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, including key historical events and reconciliation initiatives.
Reconciliation Canada is leading the way in engaging Canadians in dialogue and transformative experiences that revitalize the relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.
A detailed list of resources for former Residential School survivors in new Brunswick following the discovery of unmarked graves.
Saskatoon Indian & Métis Friendship Centre
The SIMFC supports First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultural distinctiveness by providing community development services that holistically support all ages. Its programming includes sports, festivals, and cultural activities, along with important services that holistically meet the needs of families and individuals alike.
This site has a number of links regarding settler responsibilities towards indigenous people.
This guide included steps to take as settlers to support Indigenous people and unlearn + protest colonial structures.
They are a non-profit organization committed to a vision of bettering the spiritual, emotional, mental & physical well being of First Nations peoples, fostering the way of Friendship & understanding between people.
Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour
The SNIWWOC is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to the empowerment of women. SNIWWOC operates from a holistic and integrated service model that addresses the social, cultural and political realities of immigrant and indigenous communities. Their work is informed by a commitment to reproductive justice.
Culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women available in 14 languages all across Ontario.
This is an Indigenous youth-led organization that works towards bringing awareness to Canadians about the unique challenges faced by individuals living in remote Indigenous communities, with a specific focus on youth and young adults.
They are a national Indigenous charitable organization with the mandate to educate and create awareness and understanding about the Residential School System, including the intergenerational impacts such as the removal of generations of Indigenous children from their families, the post-traumatic stress disorders that many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis continue to experience, all while trying to address racism, foster empathy and understanding and inspire action to improve the situation of Indigenous Peoples today. The LHF supports the ongoing healing process of Residential School Survivors, and their families and seeks their input on projects that honour them.
True North Aid is dedicated to serving and supporting northern and remote Indigenous communities in Canada through practical humanitarian support. With more than 60% of Indigenous children living below the poverty line, there is much work to be done. The issue facing Indigenous communities in Canada are complex. True North Aid believes that self-governance and self-determination is the key to closing the poverty gap.
Truth and Reconciliation Resources
ACIC provides a page with a list of truth and reconciliation resources. There are resources for Indigenous Peoples, such as information about generational trauma, and resources for allies , such as petition links and ways to take action.
Turtle Island is a cultural awareness and anti-racism project in Edmonton, Alberta. Its volunteers guide and support businesses/organizations in their efforts to disrupt racism in their establishments.
This article analyzes the discrimination and unmet needs of Indigenous Peoples in Toronto.
Urban Native Youth Association
Urban Native Youth Association is the centre of Indigenous youth excellence, supporting youth on their journeys by amplifying and celebrating their voices. Our Vision: Empowered Indigenous youth leading and inspiring all Nations.
We Matter is a national campaign designed to share the message to Indigenous youth struggling with suicidal thoughts and other hardships that no matter how hopeless or lonely things feel, there is always a way forward. Youth can view videos, stories and art others have posted and share their own experience, hope and voice through the same media.
This is a comprehensive health resource for Native youth, by Native youth, providing content and stories about the topics that matter most to them. They strive to promote holistic health and positive growth in our local communities and nation at large.
What Does Reconciliation Mean to Indigenous People? | CBC News
This article discusses what the word 'reconciliation' means to indigenous people and how conciliation may be more appropriate given Canadian colonization.
What Is Land Back? - David Suzuki Foundation
The Land Back Movement refers to Indigenous People's relationship to the land and their right to self-determination. It has information on how allies can play a role.
Yukon First Nations Education Directorate
YFNED is dedicated to capacity-building, systems and resources development, second-level educational programs and services enhancement, and learner supports. YFNED advances First Nation decision-making and aspirations for control over education, providing technical support, research and advice for Framework Agreement processes, and advocates for First Nation student success across the system.
Read, Watch, & Learn
A MInd Spread Out on the Ground (Novel by Alicia Elliot)
A Mind Spread Out On The Ground is a series of related essays that form a story of pain, depression, trauma, racism and colonialism retold from Alicia Elliott's (Tuscarora) experiences.
Beans(Movie, Director Tracey Deer)
This is a coming of age movie that is intended to show Canadian audiences what it was like to be an Indigenous child during the very much turbulent 78-day conflict that was known as the Oka Crisis. The coverage around it was very much focused on the violence of it all, but the damage done to children and families are immensely real. This movie goes to show the perspectives from the very people that are affected by all of this.
Braiding Sweetgrass (Book by Robin Wall Kimmerer)
In Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Kimmerer tackles the questions of nature that the Indigenous community faces and ties it to the knowledge of the tools of science. As Robin Kimmerer is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and a botanist herself, she is able to bring these perspectives together to convey how the world around them is connected to them & how things needs to be reciprocated on their end.
Five Little Indians (Novel by Michelle Good)
With compassion and insight, Five Little Indians chronicles the desperate quest of these residential school survivors to come to terms with their past and, ultimately, find a way forward.
From the Ashes (Book by Jesse Thistle)
In this extraordinary and inspiring debut memoir, Jesse Thistle, once a high school dropout and now a rising Indigenous scholar, chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction to discover the truth about who he is.
Home Fire: Ending the Cycle of Violence
Documentary by Channel: Home Fire explores family violence and restorative justice from an Aboriginal perspective. Featuring commentary from Elders, community leaders, and members of the western justice system, Home Fire examines the colonization of Canada, historic trauma, the western justice system and grassroots healing programs in Aboriginal communities.
In My Own Moccasins (Novel by Helen Knott)
In My Own Moccasins is a memoir of addiction, intergenerational trauma, and the wounds of sexual assault from a resilient, emerging Indigenous voice.
Inuit Circumpolar Council's Podcast: unikkaat / unipkaat ungipaghat / nallunairutet Circumpolar Wave (Podcast) The Inuit Circumpolar Council's podcast features talks about Inuit circumpolar issues and stories.
Joe Buffalo: Surviving the Horror of Residential Schools by Skateboarding
Documentary by the New Yorker: In “Joe Buffalo,” an Indigenous skateboarding legend overcomes addiction and trauma stemming from his years in Canada's Church-run residential school system.
An 8-part series that tells the stories of four students: three who survived and one who didn’t. They attended one of Canada’s most notorious residential schools – where unsolved deaths, abuse, and lies haunt the community and the survivors to this day.
Seven Fallen Feathers (Novel by Tanya Talaga)
Using a sweeping narrative focusing on the lives of the students, award-winning investigative journalist Tanya Talaga delves into the history of this small northern city that has come to manifest Canada’s long struggle with human rights violations against Indigenous communities.
The Creation of Turtle Island - the Ojibwa version.
The creation of Turtle Island is the birth of North America. This site explains the history of the name Turtle Island.
The Inconvenient Indian (Novel by Thomas King)
The Inconvenient Indian is at once a “history” and the complete subversion of a history—in short, a critical and personal meditation that the remarkable Thomas King has conducted over the past 50 years about what it means to be “Indian” in North America.
This Place: 150 Years Retold (Novel by Akiwenzie-Damm, Vowl, Vermette, more)
Explore the last 150 years through the eyes of Indigenous creators in the graphic novel anthology, This Place: 150 Years Retold. Beautifully illustrated, these stories are an emotional and enlightening journey through magic realism, serial killings, psychic battles, and time travel. See how Indigenous peoples have survived a post-apocalyptic world since Contact.
Turtle Island — where’s that? | Articles | CBC Kids
CBC Kids teaches people about Turtle Island, the origin story of indigenous peoples.
What Is Reconciliation? Indigenous Educators Have Their Say (Video by TVO Today Docs)
Indigenous educators explain what needs to happen for reconciliation to take place in Canada.
When We Were Alone (Book by David Alexander Robertson)
When We Were Alone is a novel about a young girl that is curious about the world around her, and specifically the grandmother she holds close to her to her heart. As she learns about her grandmother’s upbringing, she is brought forward a new world about life in a residential school- and the truth of everything that has happened in her life.
Power in Numbers
18
Volunteer Opportunities
89
Total Resources
