Indigenous Learning Resources

Ontario Land Trust Alliance acknowledges and is grateful to Indigenous Peoples as the original stewards of the land. For many thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples have inhabited, cared for and used these lands and waters, applying original instructions, Indigenous knowledge systems and laws. Ontario Land Trust Alliance also acknowledges those Indigenous Peoples, and other peoples who currently live, work, play and learn on the lands around us.

We encourage everyone in the land trust community to learn more about how you can actively take steps towards reconciliation. Here are some resources to help you on your journey:

• IPCA Knowledge Basket, a digital space created to honour, celebrate, and catalyze Indigenous-led conservation pathways in Canada, including Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs).
• Familiarize yourself with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s  94 Calls to Action and the stories of residential school survivors in their own words.
• Learn about residential schools and how we can address current injustices facing First Nation, Inuit and Métis. – First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.
• Learn about Orange Shirt Day.
• Learn about First Nation, Inuit and Métis cultural contributions by reading books from Indigenous authors, watching films featuring First Nation, Inuit and Métis culture, like those in the National Film Board’s selection of Indigenous Peoples in Canada films.
• Connect with the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership and learn and support their efforts to advance Indigenous-led conservation in the spirit of reconciliation and decolonization.
• Follow the steps outlined by the On Canada Project in their Settlers Take Action project, which provides concrete actions non-Indigenous people can take as allies.
• Check out the book “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples” by Bob Joseph and Cynthia F. Bob is a member of the Gwawaenuk Nation in B.C. and is also the founder of Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. an organization that offers training courses on Indigenous relations.
• Indigenous-led Conservation Reading List by Megan Youdelis, Kim Tran, and Elizabeth Lunstrum
• Indigenous Learning Webinar Series for Land Trusts led by Gary Pritchard (Principal Indigenous Ecologist and Engagement Specialist, 4 Directions of Conservation Consulting Services)
  • • Webinar 1: Common Portrayals and Myths of Indigenous Peoples: If Canadians are to create a space for reconciliation, then further education is needed for them to understand Indigenous ways of knowing.
    • Webinar 2: Indigenous Placemaking and Ethical Space: This workshop focused on learning to create a system of shared environmentalism and acknowledgement.
    • Webinar 3: Indigenous Conservation Strategies and Practices. This webinar focused on Indigenous Conservation Strategies and Practices. Indigenous land use has always used the land, participants in this workshop learned how the Indigenous model shifts the standard conservation framework.
    • Webinar 4: Indigenous Land Acknowledgement (Recording not available): This workshop focused on learning about the importance of land acknowledgments and also ways for developing a meaningful land acknowledgement as part of organizations’ journey and responsibility to “Reconciliation”.
    • To access these recorded webinars and presentation materials , please contact the OLTA office at 416-588-6582 or admin@olta.ca.
• Check out these informative resources on Ontario Nature’s Indigenous relations page Indigenous Relations – Ontario Nature

 

Celebrating Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples Day – National Indigenous History Month is celebrated every June. It is an opportunity for all Canadians to reflect on the distinctive histories, cultures, contributions, and strengths of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples of Canada. Only by comprehending our past can we hope to forge a more promising future.Furthermore, June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, which provides an additional chance to commemorate and celebrate the traditions, customs, and contributions of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. The summer solstice, June 21, was chosen by the Canadian government in collaboration with indigenous organizations as National Aboriginal Day, which is now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day. Because the summer solstice is the longest day of the year, many Indigenous groups and peoples have honoured their culture and heritage on or around this day for decades.

Check out this resource on Reflections on National Indigenous History Month, by the Senate of Canada and visit the Government of Canada webpages for more information on National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day

 

Support for those impacted by the history and legacy of Residential Schools in Canada

• The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day for those experiencing distress as a result of residential schools. Support is available at 1-866-925-4419.
• The Hope for Wellness Help Line is available 24 hours a day for those requiring counselling and crisis intervention. Online support is available in English and French or English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktituk at 1-855-242-3310.