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Indigenous Resources

Land Acknowledgement: The Jewish Federation of Ottawa acknowledges that Ottawa, the land on which our organization is situated and operates, is the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg People. We know that acknowledging the land will not remove or atone for atrocities that have taken place. Yet, it is our intention to honour the First Peoples of this land, as we move with humility in the direction of reconciliation, healing, and justice.

Indigenous history in Canada is marked by resilience in the face of immense hardship. For centuries, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have lived on these lands, only to be met with colonization, forced displacement, and government policies designed to erase their cultures. Among the most devastating of these was the residential school system, where Indigenous children were stolen from their families, stripped of their languages and traditions, and subjected to abuse and neglect, leaving lasting intergenerational trauma. Today, Truth and Reconciliation means acknowledging these harms, honouring survivors, and working toward meaningful change through education, justice, and respect for Indigenous rights. As Canadians, it is our responsibility to seek out this history, listen to Indigenous voices, and commit ourselves to learning and understanding.

1. Government and National Reports

  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Final Report
    The most comprehensive report on Canada's history of residential schools and the path forward for reconciliation. It contains 94 Calls to Action.
    Read the report
  • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR)
    The NCTR houses the documents, reports, and other materials collected by the TRC. It is an important archive for ongoing research and education about truth and reconciliation.
    NCTR Website

2. Suggested Reading

  • "Reconciling History: A Story of Canada"
    by Jody Wilson-Raybould & Roshan Danesh
    A more recent telling of Canada’s history from Indigenous perspectives; useful for understanding narrative gaps and how histories are often told from colonial viewpoints.
  • "21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act" by Bob Joseph
    This book explains the Indian Act, its implications, and its relevance to the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
  • "Residential Schools and Reconciliation: Canada Confronts Its History" by J. R. Miller
    A good, relatively accessible survey of the residential school legacy and what reconciliation has (or hasn’t) meant in practice; helpful for people new to this history.
  • "The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance" by Rebecca Clarren
    An investigation of the entangled history of the author's Jewish ancestors' land in South Dakota and the Lakota, who were forced off that land by the United States government. Available at the Greenberg Families Library.
  • "Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City" by Tanya Talaga
    Focuses on the lives and deaths of seven Indigenous high school students and explores the systemic racism faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada.
  • "The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America" by Thomas King
    A critical yet humorous exploration of Indigenous history and the complicated relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

3. Indigenous Voices and Stories

  • Orange Shirt Day
    An important educational movement focused on the legacy of residential schools. September 30th is recognized as a day to remember residential school survivors and their families.
    Orange Shirt Day Website
  • Project of Heart
    An interactive, artistic initiative to remember Indigenous children who died in residential schools and to foster reconciliation.
    Project of Heart Website

4. Government Initiatives and Indigenous Resources

  • Indigenous Services Canada
    Offers information on government programs and services aimed at Indigenous peoples, including reconciliation efforts.
    Indigenous Services Canada
  • Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
    Represents First Nations communities across Canada and advocates for their rights. AFN works on issues such as reconciliation, treaty rights, and education.
    AFN Website

5. Documentaries and Films

  • "We Were Children" (2012)
    A powerful documentary that recounts the experiences of two Indigenous children in Canada's residential school system. Available on streaming platforms.
  • "Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen Lands, Strong Hearts" (2019)
    A film that explores the Doctrine of Discovery and its lasting effects on Indigenous peoples.

6. Educational Resources

  • Canadian Geographic’s Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada
    A comprehensive resource that includes maps and information about Indigenous nations, cultures, and histories in Canada.
    Atlas Website
  • The Blanket Exercise
    A participatory workshop developed to educate participants on the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada, including colonization, treaties, and residential schools.
    Blanket Exercise Website

7. Indigenous History in Canada

• Government of Canada’s Indigenous history timeline.

• History of the Residential School system from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

• Residential School Timeline from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

8. Treaty Land / Maps: Understanding Where You Are

• Native Land (“Our home on native land”)

• Yellowhead Institute Treaty Map

9. Online Courses and Programs

  • University of Alberta: Indigenous Canada
    A free, comprehensive online course that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.
    Indigenous Canada Course
  • Reconciliation Education (First Nations University of Canada)
    Offers education and training modules on truth and reconciliation, including historical and contemporary Indigenous experiences.
    Reconciliation Education