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.
Books
- 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
- Decolonizing Education – Marie Battiste
- Towards Braiding – Elwood Jimmy & Vanessa Andreotti with Sharon Stein
- Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead - Sheryl Sandberg
- Caste: the Origin of our Discontents - Isabel Wilkerson
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
- 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
- IGNITING CHANGE: FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS - by the Congress Advisory Committee on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (AC-EDID)
- 10 Quotes John A McDonald Made About First Nation People
- The Indian Act Said WHAT?
- Resources - Office of the Treaty Commissioner
- Decolonization is not a metaphor – Eve Tuck & K. Wayne Yang
- A Guide to indigenous Land Acknowledgment
- Ulnooweg – Website | Education | Foundation
- Decolonize Your Board – Natalie A Walrond, Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR)
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)
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
- Interview with Todd Labrador Mi'kmaw Canoe Builder - The Green Interview
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
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
Museums & Cultural Centres*
- This I What I Wish You Knew - Exhibit in the Museum of Natural history
- The Mi'kmaq Ethnology Collection - Nova Scotia Museum (Digital Resources)
- Mi'kmaq Portraits Collection - Nova Scotia Museum (Digital Resources)
- Wagmatcook Cultural and Heritage Centre - Wagmatcook First Nations
- Membertou Heritage Park
- Dozay's Native Art Gallery
- Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre - Millbrook First Nation
- Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre
- Indigenous Exhibits - Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
- Itinerary: Nova Scotia Nature and First Nations - Indigenous Canada
Nature Walks*
- Eskasoni Cultural Journeys - Tour Goat Island
- Mi'kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail
Try Indigenous Recipes
- Are Indian Tacos a traditional Indigenous food? – CBC Radio: Unreserved
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.
Learn about the history of Goat island from Eskasoni Cultural Journeys
Traditional Bannock
Learn about as you tour Goat Island from Eskasoni Cultural Journeys
Fry Bread "Indian Tacos"
Photo courtesy Kairoscanada.org