Deepening Understanding

Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada.

From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.

Indigenous Canada is for students from faculties outside the Faculty of Native Studies with an interest in acquiring a basic familiarity with Indigenous/non-Indigenous relationships.

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Wake the Giant is a cultural awareness project in Thunder Bay, Ontario that identifies inclusive spaces throughout the city, while committing businesses and organizations to share education and resources with employees, staff and the community at large, with a goal to be more welcoming to Indigenous Youth.

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The Walk a Mile Film Project in Thunder Bay is a series of five short documentaries designed to educate the community about the life and history of Aboriginal peoples. Created by Michelle Derosier of Thunderstone Pictures, the films address important topics such as treaties, racism, and violence against women, aiming to foster cultural understanding and encourage frank conversations about Indigenous issues.

The project is part of the City of Thunder Bay's commitment to strengthening relationships with urban Aboriginal Peoples and promoting reconciliation. The films are available for viewing and can serve as teaching tools for various community members.

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Enhance your understanding and knowledge of practices that advance reconciliation in the places where you live, learn, and work.

This course will help you envision how Indigenous histories, perspectives, worldviews, and approaches to learning can be made part of the work done in classrooms, organizations, communities, and in everyday experiences in ways that are thoughtful and respectful.

In this course, reconciliation emphasizes changing institutional structures, practices, and policies, as well as personal and professional ideologies to create environments that are committed to strengthening relationships with Indigenous peoples.

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On June 21, 2021, Bill C-15, or An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the UNDRIP Act), became law in Canada.

The UNDRIP Act states the Government of Canada must take every measure necessary to ensure laws in Canada are consistent with UNDRIP through the preparation and implementation of an action plan.

The Declaration is the most comprehensive instrument detailing the rights of indigenous peoples in international law and policy, containing minimum standards for the recognition, protection and promotion of these rights. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, wellbeing and rights of the world's indigenous peoples.

The Declaration addresses both individual and collective rights; cultural rights and identity; rights to education, health, employment, language, and others. It outlaws discrimination against indigenous peoples and promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them. It also ensures their right to remain distinct and to pursue their own priorities in economic, social and cultural development. The Declaration explicitly encourages harmonious and cooperative relations between States and indigenous peoples.

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The Calls to Action are an appeal to mobilize all levels of government, organizations, as well as individuals to make concrete changes in society. They list specific actions to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation. The Calls to Action were released June 2, 2015, at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s closing event.

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The Inquest into the Deaths of Seven First Nations Youth began on October 5, 2015, and investigated the deaths of: Jethro Anderson, Reggie Bushie, Robyn Harper, Kyle Morrisseau, Paul Panacheese, Curran Strang, and Jordan Wabasse.

The Inquest concluded on June 28, 2016, when the Jury rendered its verdict. The Jury issued 145 recommendations including 31 directed to the City (among other parties to the Inquest). The Inquest’s main purpose was to prevent future deaths of First Nations youth who must live away from their home communities to attend high school in Thunder Bay.

The recommendations are aimed at improving or implementing programs within the City of Thunder Bay with respect to its physical, social and cultural infrastructure so that everyone coming to Thunder Bay is treated equitably; included and engaged; safe; and able to access opportunities to succeed.

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The National Inquiry must look into and report on the systemic causes of all forms of violence against Indigenous women and girls, including sexual violence. We must examine the underlying social, economic, cultural, institutional, and historical causes that contribute to the ongoing violence and particular vulnerabilities of Indigenous women and girls in Canada. The mandate also directs us to look into and report on existing institutional policies and practices to address violence, including those that are effective in reducing violence and increasing safety.

While the formal name of the Inquiry is “the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls,” our mandate covers all forms of violence. This makes our mandate very broad. By not being limited to investigating only cases of Indigenous women who went missing or were murdered, we can include women and girls who died under suspicious circumstances.

It also means we can address issues such as sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, bullying and harassment, suicide, and self-harm. This violence is interconnected, and can have equally devastating effects. Expanding the mandate beyond missing and murdered also creates space for more survivors to share their stories. They can help us look to the future from a place of experience, resilience, and hope.

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