Resources
For many people. learning about reconciliation and decolonization can be a difficult and personal process. It can often be difficult to know where to start.
While we are all in different places in our journeys a good place to start—or check in with yourself—is by reading, watching, and learning.
There have been several resources produced in recent years on this topic. Here are some to get you started.
Truth and Reconciliation
See the 94 calls to action: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
Sign the petition: Call for Action on Truth and Reconciliation
Learn more at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Beyond 94 , CBC
Calls to Action Accountability : A 2021 Status Update on Reconciliation, Yellowhead Institute
Canada 150: Truth and Reconciliation in the Non Profit Sector , Charity Village
Everyday Reconciliation (podcast), Canada 2020
Kitchen Table Guide For Reconciliation Dialogue For Individuals, Communities and Organizations , Reconciliation Canada
Six resources to start the Truth and Reconciliation conversation , CHF Canada
Truth and Reconciliation in the Workplace (podcast), From Our Vantagepoint
The TRC Calls to Action in BC Municipalities , Women Transforming Cities, 2023
Territorial Acknowledgements
Find territory acknowledgement information
Are you planning to do a Land Acknowledgement? , Debbie Reese for American Indians in Children’s Literature, March 9, 2019
Beyond Territorial Acknowledgements , Chelsea Vowel, September 23, 2016
Beyond the land acknowledgement (video), Regional Synergies Episode 3, Co-operatives First
A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgements (PDF), CHF Canada. Use this guide to learn more about what a land acknowledgment is and why it’s important.
‘I regret it’: Hayden King on writing Ryerson University’s territorial acknowledgement , Unreserved, CBC, January 20, 2019
Know the Land: Territories Campaign , Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG)
Making Coast Salish Territorial Acknowledgements Matter , [VIDEO] Coast Salish Cultural Network, November 25, 2016
Territorial Acknowledgements from awareness to practice , Decolonize Everything, Nahanee Creative Inc.
Territory Acknowledgement Panel Talk , [VIDEO] Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology, University of British Columbia | October 18, 2016
CHF Canada Resources
Read (Books)
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act , by Bob Joseph
A Knock on the Door by various authors
A Quiet Evolution: The Emergence of Indigenous-Local Intergovernmental Partnerships in Canada by Christopher Alcantara and Jen Nelles
All Our Relations: Finding the Path Forward by Tanya Talaga, CBC Massey Lectures
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and The Teachings Of Plants , by Robin Wall Kimmerer
From the Ashes: My story of being Metis, homeless and finding my way by Jesse Thistle
I Am Woman: A Native Perspective on Sociology and Feminism by Lee Maracle
My conversations with Canadians by Lee Maracle
Namwayut —We Are All One: A Pathway to Reconciliation by Chief Dr. Robert Joseph
Our Story: Aboriginal voices on Canada’s past by various authors
The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
The Land Is Not Empty , by Sarah Augustine
Tsqelmucwilc: The Kamloops Indian Residential School – Resistance and a Reckoning by Celia Haig-Brown, Randy Fred, and Garry Gottfriedson
Warrior Life: Indigenous Resistance and Resurgence , by Pamela Palmater
Whose Land is it Anyway? (PDF),edited by Peter McFarlane and Nicole Schabus
Why are Indigenous People Blocking the Railroad, And Why It’s Important: A Path to Understanding (PDF Zine), by Chloloula
Read (Articles)
A century after their village was burned, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh is rebuilding Sen̓áḵwm , Indiginews
A Groundbreaking Indigenous Rights Decision, 25 Years Later , Amanda Follett Hosgood, The Tyee
B.C.’s decision not to support 2030 Olympic bid is a blow to reconciliation, First Nations say , Karin Larsen · CBC News
Building Inclusion for Indigenous Peoples in Canadian Workplaces (Report), Catalyst – Workplaces that Work for Women
Decolonization Theory and Practice , Racial Equity Tools
Delgamuukw 25 years on: How Canada has undermined the landmark decision on Indigenous land rights , Shiri Pasternak, The Conversation
First Nations climate conference urged to think DIY to create self-sufficiency , Aidan Cox, CBC New Brunswick
How we consider reconciliation as a non-Indigenous company working with Indigenous communities , 50th Parallel Public Relations
In its final public meeting, Vancouver council approves UNDRIP strategy , Justin McElroy, CBC News, Oct 25, 2022
Indigenous cultural competency self-assessment checklist , Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
The Mamalilikulla’s long journey home , Stephanie Wood, The Narwhal
‘The spirit of our Elders’: the inside story of how the Tahltan Nation saved their Sacred Headwaters , Matt Simmons, The Narwhal
The time to address anti-Indigenous racism is long past due , Marie-Claude Landry, Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, (October 20, 2020)
‘There’s history sitting there’: Documentary draws on unseen footage to tell story of Idle No More , Matt Humphrey, CBC (Jan 21, 2023)
Wahkohtowin : How relationships are the foundation of cooperation within communities , Co-operatives First
We Were So Far Away: The Inuit Experience of Residential Schools , Legacy of Hope Foundation
What are Indian day schools? 3 things you might not know , Zoe McDaniel, Beyond UBC
What is decolonization and why does it matter? Eric Ritskes
Where to get the best Indigenous food in Vancouver , Dished
Watch
Beyond the land acknowledgement , Regional Synergies Episode 3, Co-operatives First
Braiding Sweetgrass: The Interconnectedness of All , Christy Dawn
Canadians have been breaking their promises to Indigenous people , CBC Docs
Come Home , a music video created by a group of youth from Adams Lake Indian Band, B.C.
Decolonization Is for Everyone , Nikki Sanchez, TEDxSFU
Dismantling to Rebuild: Replacing the Doctrine of Discovery in the 21st Century – Sarah Augustine, SFU Public Square
Ȟesápa, A LANDBACK Film , NDN Collective
Indigenous Collection – DVDs & Blu-rays , Vancouver Public Library
Indigenous Housing: Learning Through Lived Experience 2021 Housing Central Conference Session
Indigenous Storyteller in Residence 2022 (4 videos), Vancouver Public Library
Leading Change: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging 2021 Housing Central Conference Session
Namwayut: we are all one. Truth and reconciliation in Canada – Chief Robert Joseph, CBC
ORANGE SHIRT DAY: Every Child Matters “Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation”
Reconciliation Book Club – Whose Land Is It Anyway? Pam Palmatar
Territory Acknowledgement Panel Talk , Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology, University of British Columbia | October 18, 2016
2019 Award for Cooperative Achievement – Kalso Gardens , CHF Canada
2020 Sterling Prize Ceremony and Lecture with Tamara Starblanket , SFU
We Won’t Forget You , a music video written, recorded and filmed with students from Sk’elep School of Excellence in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
Working for Housing Access: Indigenous Solutions and Leadership , Canadian Urban Institute
Listen
Learn
Support
Other Resources
200 Years of Denial: Johnson v. M’intosh and the Doctrine of Discovery . Bruce McIvor, First Peoples Law, March 2, 2023
Celebrating Indigenous Peoples in Canada : Learning and activity guide , Government of Canada
Critical Indigenous Research Toolkit (PDF), UBC
Decolonization & Anti-Racism Research Guide, UBC
Decolonization is not a metaphor (PDF), Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang
Decolonization Toolkit , Victoria International Development Education Association (VIDEA)
Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery
Ethical and Equitable Engagement Synthesis Report (PDF), Inuit Circumpolar Council. A collection of Inuit rules, guidelines, protocols, and values for the engagement of Inuit Communities and Indigenous Knowledge from Across Inuit Nunaat
For Indigenous,By Indigenous Strategy .
Guide to Aboriginal Resources in Greater Vancouver , Lu’ma Native Housing Society.
Indigenous Ally Toolkit (PDF)
Indigenous Storyteller in Residence , Vancouver Public Library
June is National Indigenous History Month. So, what’s it all about? (CBC Kids)
National Indigenous History Month website
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls , Government of Canada
Non-Indigenous people — here’s what you can do, right now , IndigiNews
Reconciliation and Decolonization resources , BCNPHA
Understanding Indigenous Rights
Urban, Rural, and Northern Housing Strategy (PDF), AMHA
Organizations
This list is not exhaustive. We will also continue to add to it as we become aware of more resources. If you have any suggestions of additional resources, please let us know at communications@chf.bc.ca .