Teaching and Reconciliation Education - Orange Shirt Day | National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Teaching and Continuing Education

As educators, we have an obligation to ensure students of all ages understand the history and ongoing impacts of the residential school system. On this page you will find teaching resources including lesson plans, teaching guides, and assignments about residential schools and reconciliation (for all ages and levels).

Image via Natural Curiosity

Toolkits, Lesson Plans, and Teaching Resources

National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education: Teaching Resource Centre
The National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education (NCCIE) is hosted by First Nations University of Canada, which has a 40-year history of being Indigenous-owned, operated, and controlled. The Centre is grounded in principles of respect, reciprocity, and relationship, which are understood in Indigenous ways and honoured according to Indigenous protocols and customs. Here, you will fins educational resources for Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators teaching students and learners of all ages, including lesson plans, videos, and subject-specific educational resources.
Orange Shirt Society: Residential Schools and Reconciliation For Teachers
Lesson plans, study guides, and activities for students K-12.
Assembly of First Nations: Residential Schools Toolkit
The 6th module in AFN's Plain Talk series teaches about the history of residential school system, and it impacts on Indigenous people.
Assembly of First Nations: It’s Our Time Education Toolkit
"The Assembly of First Nations has developed the It’s Our Time First Nations Tool Kit as the basis of a comprehensive strategy to reach out to First Nations students, teachers, schools, communities and the Canadian public at large. The resource is designed to bring together First Nations and non-First Nations people and foster a spirit of cooperation, understanding, and action." Includes 22 modules on the impact of first contact, treaties, the Indian Act, residential schools, cultural competency, and more.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: Education
"A part of our mandate at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) is to raise awareness of the history and creation of the residential school system, its ongoing legacy, and how it has shaped the country we live in today. The teaching resources and educational programming we offer make it easier for the public to learn the truth about this tragic history. The NCTR works closely with educators from a variety of sectors including the K-12 school system, post-secondary institutions, public service and professional sectors to provide access to materials and resources that can aid Canadians of any age to learn about and participate in reconciliation."
Project of Heart: Investigation Into the History and Legacy of Indian Residential Schools in Canada
Project of Heart is an inquiry based, hands-on, collaborative, inter-generational, artistic journey of seeking truth about the history of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people in Canada. This six-step teacher guide provides discussion questions, activities, and actions to create a meaningful learning experience in the classroom.
Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre: Healing and Reconciliation Through Education
This open educational resource, created by The Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre (SRSC), is focused on teaching the history of the colonial legacy of Residential Schools, with an emphasis on exploring the unique history of the Shingwauk Residential School which operated in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. The SRSC is an integration and consolidation of two major initiatives of Algoma University (AU) and the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA): the Shingwauk Project, founded in 1979; and the Residential School Research, Archive and Visitor’s Centre, founded in 2005.
Natural Curiosity: Educator Resources
Natural Curiosity (NC) is an environmental and land-based inquiry program that helps teachers address a critical link between environmental and Indigenous education. NC provides professional learning opportunities for educators across Turtle Island, including webinars, workshops, walking tours, and communities of practice, to support them on their journey of centering Indigenous perspectives in children’s environmental inquiry.

Secret Path: Lesson Plans and Artwork
Inspired by Chanie Wenjack and the works of Gord Downie & Jeff Lemire’s Secret Path album and artwork, respectively, educator Mitch Champagne worked with first-year Teacher Candidates at Trent University’s School of Education, to develop lesson plans inspired by Secret Path album tracks. The lessons in this document are meant to be a base to further inspire learning, to adapt to your own social justice goals, and to begin or continue a conversation about reconciliation.

Orange Shirt Day | National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Books & eBooks

In-class Activities

Online Resources

Teaching and Continuing Education

Toolkits, Lesson Plans, and Teaching Resources