If there is one positive thing that each Canadian can do for not only themselves, but for our country, it would be to learn more about the history of the First Nations and Indigenous peoples of Canada.

You weren’t alive when the atrocities happened? Ok.

You weren’t responsible for what happened to our First Nations peoples? Ok.

It’s not up to you to help change the way things are right now? I’m going to stop you right here. Nope, nope, double nope!

We are ALL responsible for making changes to the way things are right now! It is our job as Canadian citizens to become educated and informed about what happened to our First Nations peoples as Canada was settled. Search up the “The White Paper 1969”, read a few articles and tell me that you feel the same way that you do right now.

Above: Image of Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau (left), and Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister, Jean Chrétien (right), during a meeting regarding the highly controversial “White Paper” formally known as the Statement of the Government of Canada on Indian Policy, 1969.

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{I’m kidding, I don’t want to hear from you if you feel the same way after reading up on this document}

{For real}

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As Canada was colonized and treaties signed across this great nation, life as our First Nations people knew it was changing. The Anishinabek people of Ontario released a great recollection of their history called “We Are All Treaty People”. I recommend you take the time to watch it.

Thankfully our government is slowly catching on to the idea that we need to right some wrongs in this country.

The Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was formed and representatives spent 6 years travelling the country to listen to stories of residential school survivors and their families.  Afterwards they developed 94 Calls to Action meant to guide our understanding and healing as we move forward together.

Schools, and our entire nation, celebrate Orange Shirt Day on September 30 to commemorate the atrocities that occurred at the government driven residential schools.

Visually analyzed image

Our young learners can easily connect with this day because they can identify how school makes them feel and relate that to some of the stories of how children their own age felt when they attended residential school.

 

Learning more about the Seven Ojibway Teachings is one way to understand and connect with a very important way of knowing that many First Nations peoples abide by.

 

And, finally, to summarize my learning on these topics during my studies in my ECS 101 class I developed this visual to include some key points and ideas that were important to me.