Reflecting on Indigenous history

National Indigenous History Month is celebrated annually in June — a time to reflect on the past and look toward the future.



From the latest teaching newsletter

Wildfire

Meet Tom Longboat, an Onondaga long distance runner who becomes a world-class athlete.

Cree Code Talkers

In this lesson, students will learn about Cree Code Talkers in the Second World War. They will be asked to research Code Talkers and Tom Longboat and prepare written responses comparing the two histories.

Original Storytelling

An Ontario pioneer village works with Anishinaabe communities to tell a fuller story of settlement and its impacts.

The Mi’kmaw Hockey Stick

Vintage models prized for their sturdiness and craftsmanship.

DISCOVER HERITAGE FAIRS

Through the Heritage Fair program, students learn and share the stories that matter to them in an immersive, hands-on environment.

Founded in 1993, Heritage Fairs are now held in every province and territory of Canada. Each year, approximately 50,000 students carry out research projects in the classroom.

Learn how you can bring Heritage Fairs into your classroom and inspire the next generation of learners, thinkers, and leaders. Learn more

What's the Story?

Helping Students Identify Inquiry Topics

This activity is designed to encourage students to make observations about the world around them.

Crafting Big Questions

This lesson supports students in designing their own inquiry question.

Finding and Assessing Sources

This lesson will encourage students to brainstorm different types of sources they can use to answer their Big Question.

Reflecting on Historical Inquiry

This lesson will help students reflect on what they have learned throughout their inquiry project.

Know a teacher who made a difference?

Nominations for the Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Teaching are accepted all year round.

From the Canada's History Forum

Braiding Knowledges Together

Tanya McCallum shares her passion for teaching young people the value of environmental stewardship — while also finding common ground between Indigenous and Western perspectives.

Looking Beneath the Surface

SSHEAN founder Heather E. McGregor encourages thoughtful engagement with the environment through her research and experience — and offers words of wisdom about living in the Anthropocene.

Mon devoir de mémoire

Historian and photographer Pierre Lahoud presents his award-winning photographs and explains what can be learned by looking at the land from a "bird's-eye view."

The Power of Place

With decades of teaching experience, Glen Thielmann reflects on the storytelling potential of place-based learning and posits ways for students to explore these connections first-hand.

Teaching Black History in Canada

Black History in Canada

In this special issue of Kayak we are joined by guest editor Natasha Henry who shares some amazing stories and examples of the ways Black Canadians built and shaped this country. This is an expanded version of the 2018 issue.

Sleeping Car Porters

In this lesson, students will analyze artifacts to learn about the experiences of Black sleeping car porters on the job. 

Africville Note-taking Exercise

This lesson teaches students about the history of Africville, Nova Scotia while also practicing the academic skills of attentive listening, note taking, and summarizing.

Your history. Your inbox.

With 7 uniquely curated newsletters to choose from, we have something for everyone.

Professional Learning Opportunities

Teaching Canada's History: 2024 Excellence in Teaching Finalists

In this podcast series, Canada’s History spoke with the finalists for the 2024 Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching.