We have talked at length about Indigenous histories on the land that is now Canada. However, it is equally important to discuss modern Indigenous success and initiatives. Indigenous nations and communities have shown great resilience in the face of adversity over generations. There are many organizations and communities mobilizing for greater representation within Canada and recognition within their fields. Let’s explore some of these organizations and community efforts now.

Indigenous Organizations in Canada

Take some time to explore some of the key Indigenous organizations that function within Canada in the modern day. These organizations all have different goals, and different groups they represent. However, they all share the common goal of promoting Indigenous rights within Canadian society.

You have now learned about some of the key modern Indigenous organizations in Canada. Take some time to reflect on what you have learned before moving forward.

Community Efforts

Now that you have explored the national organizations that help represent the needs of Indigenous peoples, it is time to consider the role of non-profits and community organizations. Many of these community efforts began on a smaller scale but have since expanded to represent national interests and advocacy for Indigenous peoples.

Shannen’s Dream

Shannen’s Dream is a movement that is a part of the First Nations Caring Society. This movement works to ensure that First Nations children have access to safe and supportive schools, and to counteract the lack of funding for Indigenous schools on reservations. Shannen’s Dream was started and named after Shannen Koostachin, who along with her classmates began a movement in 2007 to reform access to safe schools for Indigenous children. This was started due to the unsafe conditions in their school in Attawapiskat First Nation, Ontario. Shannen unfortunately passed away in 2010 before her dream of safe schools could be realized, but her impact lives on through this movement that is now continued by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, 2022)

You can learn more about Shannen’s Dream through the document below, or visiting the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society’s website.

Orange Shirt Day Society

The Orange Shirt Day Society was founded in Williams Lake, British Columbia in 2013. The goals of the Orange Shirt Day Society are to commemorate the residential school experience, raise awareness, and foster change for the survivors of residential schools. The Orange Shirt Day Society was founded on the premise of Phyllis Webstad’s story of her experience arriving at St. Joseph Mission Residential School. The Orange Shirt Day Society evolved from events commemorating the experiences at this residential school and has become a national organization which holds the annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th (Orange Shirt Day Society, 2022)

To learn more about Phyllis’ story, read the information at the Orange Shirt Society website

Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund

The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund is the legacy of the collaboration between the late singer/songwriter Gord Downie and his family, and the family of Chanie Wenjack, who was a youth who lost his life while escaping Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora, Ontario. This organization gained traction through the release of the movie, song and story The Secret Path which was created by Gord Downie and details the experience of Chanie Wenjack. Since this point, the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund works to foster reconciliation through awareness, education, and actions (Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, 2022).

Watch the following 1-hour video produced by the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund on the topic reconciliation for National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

You have now explored some modern organizations and initiatives in Canada that are actively working towards change for Indigenous peoples. Now that you have reviewed this content, take some time to complete the following reflection.

You have now reviewed all the content for this module. When you are ready, you can proceed to the knowledge check for this module to verify your learning. 

Review

Summary

Understanding the history of Indigenous peoples of Canada is extremely important for all Canadians. Indigenous history is the history of this land, and therefore a history of Canada in the modern day, both good and bad. When you have a better understanding of where we have come from, it is easier to understand dynamics in the present, and how it is best to proceed in the future.

This history affects the environment, representation and decisions made around you every day. It is important to be able to situate yourself within the history, in order to help guide your thoughts, intentions, and actions as your proceed with this important work. History is not just a static narrative of the past. It is a dynamic and influential part of the life we live in the present day. Only when you understand where we have come from as a nation, can you actively engage in your role, as an individual and a member of a community, in the reconciliation process.