Click on any of the tabs below for our resource links. We have organized the material into seven categories for easier browsing.
An Enormous Cost
in a large, readable size.
One of our Indigenous participants, Terry, volunteered to share a song he had written. The song is titled, “An Enormous Cost” and comes with a powerful story. Please read his introduction, and click on the link to watch his Youtube video. Many of our Indigenous participants who take part in the 10 week circles often share how impactful the circles are to them when they see non-Indigenous participants commit to the journey of learning the truths of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people in Canada.
We say Thank you to Terry for taking part in the circles. The courage to share his words and his journey of learning, sharing and healing. We also say thank you for his permission to share via our social media.
We are asking our CFR friends to read and share this post. Let’s support our Indigenous participants whose time and dedication brings balance to the vital dialogues that can move reconciliation forward for those to come after us.
Kanaskomitin/ Miikwech!
Additional Resources
The popular News Magazine program in the United States, 60 Minutes recently ran a segment on Canadian Residential Schools. We got permission
We’re pleased to have received permission to print this insightful and informative article written by Niigaan Sinclair and published by the Winnipeg
By: Niigaan Sinclair I have a daughter. She’s entering teen years. She’s my life. It’s hard not to think of her when
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
Link to our core document
Soul Wounds of the Anishinabek People
A very powerful and detailed description of the psychological and intergenerational impacts of residential schools. Strongly recommend.
Principles Respecting the Government of Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples
Government of Canada is committed to achieving reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through a renewed, nation-to-nation, government-to-government, and Inuit-Crown relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership as the foundation for transformative change.
Respect, Trust, Treaties and Reconciliation
Understanding a bit of the history of treaties can go a long way toward understanding why the Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners talk about reconciliation as healing the broken trust.
Murray Sinclair remembers Canadian legal pioneer Thomas Berger
We highly recommend this podcast presented by CBC’s Matt Galloway on The Current on April 28, 2021.
Treaties and the Treaty Relationship
Canada’s History has published a special issue on treaties.
Murray Sinclair’s Talk on the Royal Proclamation of 1763
“The importance of the Royal Proclamation of 1763 by Senator Murray Sinclair.
Senator Sinclair outlines why he both loves and hates this Proclamation, and explains it’s importance, even today, in creating “mutual respect” as the basis of the relationships with First Nations people.”
YouTube video link of Dr. Murray Sinclair talking about the Royal Proclamation”
The Pass System
A two minute trailer introducing an important movie by Alex Williams telling the story of the Pass System when for over 60 years First Nations individuals needed a pass from the Indian agent to leave the reserve to go hunting, fishing, selling produce or even to visit their children in residential schools. The requirement, though supported by John A. MacDonald never went through parliament. See our Theme on the Pass System.
Indigenomics
Taking a Seat at the Economic Table
by Carol Anne Hilton
It is time. It is time to increase the visibility, role, and responsibility of the emerging modern Indigenous economy and the people involved. This is the foundation for economic reconciliation. This is Indigenomics.
Indigenomics lays out the tenets of the emerging Indigenous economy, built around relationships, multigenerational stewardship of resources, and care for all.
Highlights include:
- The ongoing power shift and rise of the modern Indigenous economy
- Voices of leading Indigenous business leaders
- The unfolding story in the law courts that is testing Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples
- Exposure of the false media narrative of Indigenous dependency
- A new narrative, rooted in the reality on the ground, that Indigenous peoples are economic powerhouses
- On the ground examples of the emerging Indigenous economy.
Indigenomics calls for a new model of development, one that advances Indigenous self-determination, collective well-being, and reconciliation. This is vital reading for business leaders and entrepreneurs, Indigenous organizations and nations, governments and policymakers, and economists.
Publisher: https://newsociety.ca/books/i/indigenomics
Wake Up
Evy Klassen, a volunteer theme editor at Circles for Reconciliation, composed and recorded a powerful spoken word poem which is a snapshot of over 150 years of Canadian history regarding the treatment of Indigenous peoples.
Hope
These stories of resilience, innovation and persistence offer hope for the future.
First Contact TV Series
This excellent series produced by APTN has two seasons which each take six Canadians on a 28 day exploration of Indigenous Canada.
Murray Sinclair’s Talk on the Royal Proclamation of 1763
“The importance of the Royal Proclamation of 1763 by Senator Murray Sinclair.
Senator Sinclair outlines why he both loves and hates this Proclamation, and explains it’s importance, even today, in creating “mutual respect” as the basis of the relationships with First Nations people.”
“YouTube video link of Dr. Murray Sinclair talking about the Royal Proclamation
Chief Joseph on Reconciliation
In this 10 minute video, a nationally known Elder living on the West Coast, Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, a survivor of Residential Schools, calls for reconciliation.
Gord Downie: The Secret Path
A one hour CBC production on the Secret Path followed by a second hour panel discussion by three Indigenous leaders.
The Pass System
A two minute trailer introducing an important movie by Alex Williams telling the story of the Pass System when for over 60 years First Nations individuals needed a pass from the Indian agent to leave the reserve to go hunting, fishing, selling produce or even to visit their children in residential schools. The requirement, though supported by John A. MacDonald never went through parliament. See our Theme on the Pass System.
Reserve 107 The Film
A 32 minute film on how the spirit and intent of Treaties is being lived out on Reserve 107 in Saskatchewan.
The Seventh Fire
From the Anglican Church of Canada, [1995], this 28-minute documentary explores a First Nations prophecy that the time of the Seventh Fire will be when the reborn First Nations will offer spiritual recovery to North Americans of European ancestry.
Indigenous Organizations in Manitoba
A directory published by the Province of Manitoba
Link to Mental Health Counselling Benefits for First Nations and Inuit
A directory of services in Manitoba for survivors of domestic and sexual violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This document was created by the MKO MMIWG Liaison Unit. It includes a list of the social distancing measures that each shelter is taking. Should any other province have a similar resource list of which you are aware, we would be pleased to post it.
Nisichawayasik: A Future Net-Zero First Nations?
Link to a report about economic development in Nisichawayasik Cree Nation (Nelson House, MB) that addresses employment, training, healing from trauma, infrastructure development, and energy self-reliance.
Indigenous Economy worth $9.3 billion a year to Manitoba
Report shows amount surpasses manufacturing.
Crisis Intervention Supports
An extensive list of organizations in Winnipeg that can help individuals in crisis and need of supports. The list is useful for facilitators, participants or anyone in society in crisis.
Kapabamayak Achaak Healing Forest – Winnipeg. A plan to create a Healing Forest in St. John’s Park as a “living memorial for Indigenous children lost to the residential school system.” This is part of a national project. For information contact HealingForestWpg@gmail.com
United Way Eagle’s Eye View
An environmental scan of the Aboriginal community in Winnipeg, (2nd ed. 2010).
A Catholic Response to Call to Action 48 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
A document stating that the Catholic Church in Canada strongly supports the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as in Call for in Action # 48.
Churches’ Response to Call to Action 48
A list of 14 churches and faith groups who have responded in different ways to Call to Action #48.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Statement of the urgent and long-term commitment of the ELCIC on encouraging right relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
Combatting Racism in Canada – Intro
Here is the introductory episode of a series prepared by Pam Palmater – ” a series of short videos talking about ways to combat individual and systemic racism at all levels of society.”
Eagle feathers in law courts just small step
Article by Niigaan Sinclair originally published in Winnipeg Free Press. Reprinted in full with permission
The Canadian Reconciliation Landscape
In 2016, Reconciliation Canada commissioned a national public opinion survey to measure the perspectives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians on key aspects of reconciliation, identifying areas of alignment and divergence with respect to five major themes.
Canadian Public Opinion on Aboriginal Peoples
A June 2016 report of a national survey of non-Aboriginals in Canada and their attitudes toward Aboriginal peoples, a survey conducted by Environics Institute. See our Gathering them with excerpts from this report.
Reconciliation: The Role of Education
An article by Senator Murray Sinclair, recent Chair of the TRC, on the mandate of the TRC and the role of education in the process of reconciliation.