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Truth and Reconciliation Week Classroom Activities


As we approach Truth and Reconciliation week and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we want to acknowledge and honour the ancestral territory of all the Inuit, Metis, and First Nations people that call this land home. We are committed to rebuilding and renewing our relationships and recognize the ongoing impacts of colonization.


We want to pause, reflect, and learn during this time and honour the survivors and victims of the residential school system.


During this time, there are some activities that you can do with your students to reflect and build mutual respect and equitable relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples.



1. Take time to reach out within your community and connect with Indigenous Peoples, even an Elder.


2. In your classroom, read a book. A great choice is Spirit Bear and Children Make History by Cindy Blackstock and Eddy Robinson.


  • You can download the book for free here:



  • Use this to open a discussion with your students.

    • What did you learn from Spirit Bear and Children Make History?

    • What can you do to ensure all children are treated fairly and equally?


3. Take time to explore the outdoors and learn about “Mother Earth.” Learn about plants and animals, their significance to Indigenous Peoples, and the importance of protecting and caring for the land.

  • Discover the four plants of the medicine wheel: tobacco, sage, sweetgrass and cedar.

  • As you explore the outdoors, see if you can find other indigenous plants—identify them and what they can be used for. Some examples:

    • Mountain Maple

    • Hazelnut

    • Stinging Nettle

    • Goat’s Beard

    • Red Elderberry

    • Sword Fern

    • Black Gooseberry

    • Cottonwood

    • Swamp Horsetail

    • Willow

    • Skunk Cabbage

    • High-bush Cranberry

    • Indian Plum

    • Bulrush

    • Devil’s Club

    • Maidenhair Fern

    • Sage

    • Sweet Grass

    • Red Cedar

    • Even Dandelions are important; the leaves and roots can be made into teas


4. Learn more about Indigenous Arts and artists. Allow your students to explore the Indigenous world of arts, through such activities as beadwork, dance, or storytelling.


Check out these resources:


5. Learn about how and why bannock was important to different Indigenous Peoples. You can even try making some with your class. You can find the recipe in our Culture of Agriculture magazine here: https://www.agricultureforlife.ca/product-page/the-culture-of-agriculture-north-american-edition



6. Check out these great resources that have been vetted by Indigenous authors:

These are only a few of the ideas and activities that you and your classroom can participate in, to recognize and continue the healing and learning for Truth and Reconciliation. Be sure to take the time to pause and reflect, and continue this journey not only now but ongoing.


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