Additional Resources to Support Your Decolonization Learning Journey

The Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia recognizes the existence of Anti-Indigenous Racism in Mi’kma’ki and its deep historical roots. We commit to working in solidarity with our Mi’kmaq colleagues, partners, and collaborators, to speak out against this form of racism and to help the nonprofit and voluntary sector in the province implement the TRC recommendations, decolonize their organizations and work collectively for meaningful social change to address the underlying and entrenched systemic issues.

Throughout our Decolonization Learning Journey series we have been gathering resources and information by our hosting team, including Elder Jane Meader, Mary Beth Doucette, and Unama’ki College. We hope that these resources help you in your own learning and as we continue our online learning series we will add resources to deepen our understanding and move towards meaningful and long-term change.

Watch & Listen

Activities for Families

Past Webinars

Legends of the Micmacs: Volume 1 & Volume 2 - by Silas Tertius Rand
Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation, and the Loss of Aboriginal Life - by James Daschuk and Elizabeth A. Fenn
The Truth About Stories Massey Lectures - by Thomas King
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants – By Robin Wall Kimmerer
All Our Relations: Finding the Path Forward Massey Lectures - by Tanya Talaga
Seven Fallen Feathers – Tanya Talaga
Unsettling the Settler Within – by Paulette Regan
Truth and Conviction – by L. Jane McMillan
Braiding Legal Orders: Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – edited by John Borrows, Larry Chartrand, Oonagh E Fitzgerald, and Risa Schwartz
Read the Mi’kmaw Creation Story – Four Directions Teachings
Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World – by Jack Weatherford
Mi'kmaq Treaties on Trial: History, Land, and Donald Marshall Junior – by William C. Wicken
From Where I Stand: Rebuilding Indigenous Nations for a Stronger Canada – by Jody Wilson-Raybould

Books for Children & Young Readers

When We Were Alone – by David A. Robertson
Children's Book series available in Mi'kmaw, English, and French:
- Antle Learns to Skate
- Pikto'l Goes to Treaty Day
- Kalolin Learns About Baskets
- Aliet Learns to Make Lu'sknikn
- Pikto'l Learns the Kojua
- Kalolin Goes to Potlotek
  - Contact Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey for information to purchase:
  - Phone: 902-567-0336 / Email: mkeducation@kinu.ca

Articles / Digital Resources

Decolonization learning Journey Terminology List
Creation story that really focuses on the significance of the #7 - History Museum
Murdena Seven Sacred Gifts - Integrative Science
Learn more about the 7 "Districts" / "Clans" - Cape Breton University
- Map of these Territories - Daniel N Paul
Mide-Wiigwas – Tobacco and Tobacco Ties – St. George’s Indian band
Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) – Visit their website
- More about Netukulimk
Etuaptmumk - Two-Eyed Seeing – Integrative Science
Treaty of Utrecht – The Canadian Encylopedia
View a copy of the Treaties of Peace and Friendship – Nova Scotia Government Archives
Additional information about Mi’kmaw treaties – Mi’kmaq Rights
Highlights of the Marshall Decision – SRSF Factsheet
Factsheet: The 1999 Supreme Court of Canada Marshall Decision – Fisheries & Oceans Canada
The Life & Death of Donald Marshall Jr. - Globe and Mail
Donald Marshall Jr. – The Canadian Encyclopedia
Read the Indian Act online – Justice Laws Website
More information about the Indian Act – Indigenous Foundations
The Pass System – The Canadian Encylopedia
Indian Act and the Pass System – Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
8 First Nation Reserve FAQs – Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
Women & The Indian Act – The Canadian Encyclopedia
Freedom, Dependence, and Nation building (Downloadable PDF)
British North America Act, 1867 – Department of Justice
Constitution Act, 1867 – The Canadian Encylopedia
Royal Proclamation 1763 – Indigenous Foundations
A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgements – Native Governance Centre
Some answers to big questions around unceded territory statements – CBC
TRC Recommendations – Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada
Find some standard guidelines to adopt while approaching reconciliation in this Ally Toolkit - Segal Centre
The Turtle Lodge Center of Excellence in Indigenous Education and Wellness is a place for reconnecting to the Earth & sharing Indigenous ancestral knowledge, founded on the 7 Sacred Laws
White Ally Toolkit - Resources, Training & Information to Support Conversations and Allyship

Indian Givers by Jack Weatherford

Clearing the Plains by James Daschuk

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Massey Lectures: All our Relations by Tanya Talaga

When We Were Alone by David A Robertson (Children's book)

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Watch & Listen

Videos, Movies, and Podcasts to help you learn more about Indigenous History, Current Affairs, and how to be a better ally.

Recordings from Past Webinars

Go back and watch the recordings of the sessions in Series 1 and find webinar specific resources.

June 2, 2020 "The Mi'kmaw Creation Story & Pre-Contact Way of Life" with Stephen Augustine

June 9, 2020 "Netukulimk, Harvesting, Sustainable Ways of Living, and Seven Generations" with Clifford Paul

June 16, 2020 "Contact and Historical Conflicts, Treaties, and Significance of Indigenous People’s Day" with Stephen Augustine

June 23, 2020 "Indian Reserves, the Indian Act, and Confederation" with Cheryl Knockwood

Videos & Movies

Clearing the Plain - James Daschuk
Vimeo documentary: The Pass System – free now with password “JUSTICE” (normally $5 (CA) to rent)
2018 Woodrow Llyod Lecture
Pam Palmeter – visit her website to find Videos, Podcasts, Books, and Resources
- Pam Palmeter’s YouTube Channel
Watch an extended version of the Creation Story - CBU
The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code – by filmmaker Sheldon Woldchild
8th Fire Wab Kinew – 500 years in 2 minutes
The History of Wampum Belts – Explanation by Stephen Augustine
Mi’kmaw Grand Council and Hereditary Chiefs – Explanation by Stephen Augustine
The Royal Proclamation of 1763 – Trevor Bernard
French Settlement and English Treaties – Explanation by Stephen Augustine
The Indian Act – Explanation by Bob Joseph
The Indian Act – Explanation by Tanya Talaga
The Indian Act – Explanation by Stephen Augustine
Seeking Netujkulimk – Mi’kmaw Elder Kerry Propser

Podcasts & Audiobooks

The Truth About Stories Massey Lectures (Listen) - by Thomas King
All Our Relations: Finding the Path Forward Massey Lectures (Listen) - by Tanya Talaga
Stories from the land – Podcast from Indian Cowboy
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants – By Robin Wall Kimmerer (Audiobook Narrated by the author)
For Mi’kmaq lessons, vocabulary, helpful posters, books, and songs, visit: Nmu’ltes: Aboriginal Language Resource

Smudging Ceremony Explained
Stephen Augustine

We Didn't Start the Fire - 2020
April Martell

The Significance of the Eagle Feather
Clifford Paul

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Activities for Families

Activities you can do with your family to help you learn more about Indigenous History, Current Affairs, and how to be a better ally

Other Activities

Experience the KAIROS Blanket Exercise
Learn More About Indigenous Populations in Your Area - Mi'kmaw Bands in Nova Scotia

*NOTE: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many of these exhibits and centres may not be open or running at full capacity. Be sure to contact them before planning your visit.