A Teacher Librarian's Guide for Decolonization and Reconciliation

Some remarkable online courses have been developed to support self-directed learning for topics such as decolonization and Indigenous resurgence.  Below are a small sampling to get you started, there are many, many more.

• Continuing our Learning Journey: Indigenous Education in BC--BC Open School

• 'Indigenous Canada' MOOC--University of Alberta

• Dan Levy and professors from the University of Alberta supplementary discussion of 'Indigenous Canada.'

• Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education MOOC--University of British Columbia

• The First Nations Principles of ownership, control, access, and possession (OCAP)--First Nations Information Governance Committee

• Aboriginal Worldviews and Education--Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

• Reconciling Ways of Knowing dialogue series--The Reconciling Ways of Knowing Society

• Microlearning series--Maskwacis Cultural College in Alberta

There are many moving video collections available in the place now known as Canada as well as internationally.  To get started, below are a few examples of frequently referred to video series.

• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's YouTube channel

• OurOur Stories…Our Strength video collection--Legacy of Hope Foundation

• Through Our Eyes: 25+ Short Docs by Indigenous filmmakers--CBC

• Indigenous Cinema collection--National Film Board of Canada

• Reconciling Ways of Knowing dialogue series--The Reconciling Ways of Knowing Society

• Indigenous Speakers Series--University of Waterloo

• IRDL Scholars' Speaker Series--Loyola Marymount University

• Continuing our Learning Journey: Indigenous Education in BC--BC Open School

• Dan Levy and professors from the University of Alberta supplementary discussion of 'Indigenous Canada

• Streaming collection--Aboriginal Peoples' Television Network (APTN)

• International Indigenous Speakers' Bureau--Presentations on demand

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action serve as a guide for how the work of truth-telling and reconciliation can continue in the future.  Calls to Action 57, 62, and 63 are particularly relevant to the work of Teacher Librarians.  Relatedly, Call to Action 69 speaks to the work of Library and Archives Canada. 

57. We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

62. We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in consultation and collaboration with Survivors, Aboriginal peoples, and educators, to:

1. Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve students.
2. Provide the necessary funding to post-secondary institutions to educate teachers on how to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into classrooms.
3. Provide the necessary funding to Aboriginal schools to utilize Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods in classrooms.
4. Establish senior-level positions in government at the assistant deputy minister level or higher dedicated to Aboriginal content in education.

63. We call upon the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada to maintain an annual commitment to Aboriginal education issues, including:

1. Developing and implementing Kindergarten to Grade Twelve curriculum and learning resources on Aboriginal peoples in Canadian history, and the history and legacy of residential schools
2. Sharing information and best practices on teaching curriculum related to residential schools and Aboriginal history.
3. Building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.
4. Identifying teacher-training needs relating to the above.

                                      -- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (2015).  Ebook available through UVic Libraries