The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was formed in 2008 as part of the Indian Residential Schools (IRS) Settlement agreement. For years, commissioners traveled across Canada to conduct interviews with Residential School survivors and their families. Out of these testimonies, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released a 6 volume report in 2015 detailing the history and ongoing legacy of Canada’s Residential School System. The Commission has also released their “Calls to Action,” an outline of recommendations targeted at all Canadians to critically engage with the legacies of state-sanctioned violence against Indigenous Peoples.
Access the full report on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Website.
The following resources are meant to be starting points for those unsure of their role in implementing the TRC's calls to action in the classroom. They are fairly high-level.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Teacher Resources
Suggests literature for use in the classroom, and recommends readings for teachers. Also links to Lesson Plans.
What Can I Contribute to Meaningful Reconciliation? [PDF]
A teaching and learning resource produced by the Critical Thinking Consortium and the Grand Erie District School Board (BC). It consists of three lessons on the causes and consequences of the Residential School System. Intended to be used in Grade 6 classrooms.
Alberta Teachers' Association: Walking Together: Education for Reconciliation
Contains a list of workshops, fact sheets, and a bibliography of additional resources.
BC Teacher's Federation: Aboriginal Education
Links to teaching resources and workshops. Also explains BC's Aboriginal Education program.
Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario: FNMI Resources
Resources to aid in Truth and Reconciliation efforts in elementary classrooms.
Manitoba Teacher's Society Lesson Plans
Contains lesson plans for The Secret Path and Orange Shirt Day, a day to commemorate residential school survivors.
Newfoundland and Labrador Teacher's Association: Resources for Teachers
A general resources page, but has some TRC-related resources.
Saskatchewan Teacher's Federation: Treaty Education and Reconciliation Resources
Lists applicable resources, with links to Saskatchewan curriculum outcomes.
Treaty Education Nova Scotia
Timeline of Nova Scotia's implementation of Treaty Education. Contains links to some Mi'kmaq resources. Nova Scotia's Office of Aboriginal Affairs has also created a list of resources for teachers.