Resources
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Phyllis Webstad Orange Shirt Day Presentation
Phyllis Webstad presents her memories of residential schools and the meaning of Orange Shirt Day.
What Non-Indigenous Canadians Need to Know
Eddy Robinson is an educator on Indigenous issues. In this web series called “First Things First,” Robinson explains why asking “How Can I Help?” is not the right question.
“Rosie on Reconciliation” – National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (3:16)
Why does reconciliation matter? Rosie breaks it down for us.
“What is Reconciliation? Indigenous Educators Have Their Say” – TVO Docs (3:11)
In this web series called “First Things First,” Indigenous experts take a look at what it really means to reconcile after generations of systemic racism against Indigenous peoples.
“What is a residential school?” – The Agenda with Steve Paikin (2:23)
The remains of 215 children were found at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. With renewed attention now on the treatment of children in those schools, here’s a short explainer on their history.
“What is Turtle Island?” – The Agenda with Steve Paikin (1:53)
Turtle Island is what some Indigenous peoples call North America, but it’s so much more. Derived from creation stories, the term has become an act of resistance after centuries of settler colonialism.
“First Contact” – APTN (Series)
First Contact takes six Canadians, each with stereotypical opinions about Indigenous People, on an unforgettable 28-day exploration of Indigenous Canada. It’s a journey that will turn their lives upside down, challenging perceptions and confronting prejudices about a world they never imagined they would see.
“We Were Children” – Film (1h:23:00)
As young children, Lyna and Glen were taken from their homes and placed in church-run boarding schools. The trauma of this experience was made worse by years of untold physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, the effects of which persist in their adult lives. The profound impact of the Canadian government’s residential school system is conveyed unflinchingly through their eyes.
“The Legacy of the Sixties Scoop” – CBC: The National (5:08)
Ian Hanomansing discusses the Sixties Scoop with Cindy Blackstock, an advocate for Indigenous youth and families, and Raven Sinclair, a professor of social work at the University of Regina.
“Separating Children From Parents: The Sixties Scoop in Canada” – CBC News (4:08)
CBC News gives a brief overview of the Sixties Scoop – when Canada took thousands of Indigenous children from their parents between the 1960s and the 1980s. The effects are still being felt today.
“Birth of a Family” – CBC DOCS POV (44:09)
Three sisters and a brother, removed from their young Dene mother’s care as part of Canada’s infamous Sixties Scoop and adopted as infants into separate families across North America, meet together for the first time.
“The Pass System” – Documentary (50:00)
For over 60 years, the Canadian government denied many Indigenous peoples the basic freedom to leave their reserves without a pass. Nehiyaw, Saulteaux, Dene, Ojibwe and Niitsitapi elders tell their stories of living under and resisting the system, and link their experiences to today. Renowned artists and scholars give context to the on-going legacy of the system.
“We Will Stand Up” – CBC DOCS POV (44:09)
The death of a young Cree man, Colten Boushie, captures international attention and raises disturbing questions about racism in Canada’s legal system.
“The Forgotten People” – Métis Nation of Alberta (27:26)
The history of the Métis people and their attendance at Indian Residential Schools is a historical experience that has profoundly influenced our community. The impact has affected the families of these individuals for generations. The Forgotten people video consists of 9 participants who share their personal experiences as residential school survivors and intergenerational survivors.
“Copy of Truth and Reconciliation, Five Years Later” – APTN News (1h:26:13)
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada released its report, outlining 94 calls to action to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples across the country. This video, released in 2020, provides an update. What progress has been made, and where have we fallen short?
ConnectR – Video Bank
Reconciliation Saskatoon’s ConnectR project features an extensive bank of Indigenous video resources for viewing.
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“Reconcile. Everyday Conversations.”
Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan
Since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) work across Canada and the TRC Calls to Action, all Canadians have been challenged to join the journey of reconciliation. But how are people interpreting and working towards reconciliation? Within this podcast, we intend to deliberately place ourselves, those who come from a predominately settler background, in this space and identify where we can be challenged and encouraged to keep moving towards reconciliation.
“Still Here Still Healing.”
Jade Roberts
This podcast brings awareness to the history and lasting impacts of residential schools as well as the ongoing impacts of colonization. Listen to stories from residential school survivors and learn from discussions with Indigenous youth about topics such as culture, language, identity, and community.
“Residential Schools” – Historica Britannica
“Residential Schools” is a three-part podcast series created by Historica Canada and hosted by Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais. It aims to commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools, and honour the stories of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Survivors, their families, and communities.
“Missing & Murdered: Finding Cleo” – CBC
Where is Cleo? Taken by child welfare workers in the 1970’s and adopted in the U.S., the young Cree girl’s family believes she was raped and murdered while hitchhiking back home to Saskatchewan. CBC news investigative reporter Connie Walker joins the search to find out what really happened to Cleo.
“Pieces” – CBC
Since the day he was old enough, Jeremy knew he was different. A mix of Indigenous and white heritage, he has experienced life through both vantage points – as well as the stereotypes. Join 19-year-old Jeremy Ratt on a journey of self discovery as he seeks to understand his roots and all of the distinct “pieces” that form who he is today.
“Telling Our Twisted Histories” – CBC
Words connect us. Words hurt us. Indigenous histories have been twisted by centuries of colonization. Host Kaniehti:io Horn brings us together to decolonize our minds – one word, one concept, one story at a time.
“This Place” – CBC
Based on the acclaimed graphic novel anthology, This Place is a 10-part journey through one-hundred and fifty years of Indigenous resistance and resilience. Through dramatizations and interviews, along with your host and time-guide storyteller Rosanna Deerchild, the series reveals the heroes, battles, triumphs and traditions which live outside and beyond the national story we have been taught to learn, to share, and to heal the future of “this place” we call Canada.
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Events will be updated ahead of Orange Shirt Day in 2023.
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Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada created 94 calls to action address the ongoing impact of residential schools on survivors and their families and provide a path for all levels of government to begin the process of reconciliation.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Educational Resources
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation offers an extensive bank of educational resources for all ages – from reading materials to videos and more.
Events and Resources from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has a number of events and programs in place across Canada. Latest events, resources and programs are on the NCTR Facebook page.
Beyond 94 – Truth & Reconciliation in Canada
CBC’s Beyond 94 is an interactive website that measures and monitors the progress of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action in Canada.
Interactive Map of Canada’s Residential Schools.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation resources include an interactive map of Canada’s Residential Schools.
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act – CBC
“Here are 21 restrictions imposed at some point by the Indian Act in its 140 years of existence.”
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National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation Commission Reports
Reports listed here were issued or created by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). These digital copies can be accessed or duplicated at no charge from the NCTR’s website.
Reading Lists
View reading lists about reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day, Indigenous history and more.
Regina Public Library Book List
Saskatoon Public Library Book List
Whose Land Is It Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization
The free ebook provides a variety of Indigenous perspectives on the history of colonialism, current Indigenous activism and resistance, and outlines the path toward reconciliation.
Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future
The executive summary of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada is available to download.
The Survivors Speak
The Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada from 2015 is available to download.
Canada’s Residential Schools: The Métis Experience
The Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Volume 3 from 2015 is available to download.
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Orange Shirt Society
Donations help Phyllis Webstad and the Orange Shirt Society raise awareness across Canada about the Indian Residential Schools and their continuing impacts on individuals, families and communities, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.
The South Saskatchewan Community Foundation Truth and Reconciliation Fund
The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support and to fund activities in support of the Indigenous community and the advancement of Reconciliation in south Saskatchewan and more broadly, as necessary, now and into the future as identified by the Foundation through its community research and consultation and as recommended by the advisory committee. [The Fund] will be committed toward initiatives focused on TRC Calls to Action, Indigenous led organizations and Indigenous community needs in Saskatchewan.
Legacy of Hope Foundation
This national Indigenous charitable organisation 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, including the Sixties Scoop, 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.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR)
The NCTR educates Canadians on the profound injustices inflicted on First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation by the forced removal of children to attend residential schools and the widespread abuse suffered in those schools.
Reconciliation Canada
Reconciliation Canada actively provides programs and initiatives to inspire positive change in communities throughout Canada.
Reconciliation Saskatchewan
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner is working to support a provincial movement for truth and Reconciliation in the Treaty territory of Saskatchewan. Connect with organizations in your communities: Reconciliation Saskatoon, Reconciliation Regina, Heart of Treaty 6 Reconciliation, Prairie Rivers Reconciliation, Reconciliation Nipawin, and Battlefords Regional Truth and Reconciliation.
ProMetal’s Every Child Matters Feathers Project – Proudly Supported by Pasqua First Nation
ProMetal is continuing with the Feather Project in 2022. The 2022 Feather was designed by local artist, Jonas Thomson of the Cegakin First Nation. The feather was designed to represent the children that made their journey to the spirit world while attending residential schools.
Only 2000 feathers will be produced for this year’s campaign and net proceeds from the sale of the feathers will be donated to First Nations University of Canada, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology – SIIT, the University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The funds will be designated for Indigenous students and distributed through bursaries.
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The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s Indigenous Engagement Charter
Our Indigenous Engagement Charter serves as a roadmap to provide businesses with the tools to achieve Indigenous engagement and assists the business community in demonstrating the role it must play in reconciliation.
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s Indigenous Business Directory
Our Indigenous Business Directory aims to ensure that more Indigenous businesses can participate in the Saskatchewan supply chain and will allow for increased engagement between members of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and Indigenous-owned businesses in the province.
