BC Waldorf Collective: Indigenous Education Resource List

General Resources

GRADE RANGE	REGION	TITLE	AUTHOR OR EDITOR	DESCRIPTION OR RESOURCE	LINK
K-12	Canada	Resources for Rethinking	Learning for a Sustainable Future: 30 educators from across Canada	This website hosts a collection of resources and curriculum links by province, you search by grade, subject, theme, Indigenous knowledge area, and type of resource	https://resources4rethinking.ca
K-12	Earth	Native Land	Native Land Digital	An interactive map of the globe with Indigenous regions by name	https://native-land.ca/
K-12	Earth	First Voices	First Voices	An interactive platform where Indigenous communities manage, curate, and share their languages.	https://www.firstvoices.com/
K-12	BC	Learning First Peoples Classroom Resources	FNESC	This is a webpage with 12 resources for BC classrooms, including English, science, math, and general. Each is a separate book for purchase through the website; some are available online, and two are highlighted below	https://www.fnesc.ca/learningfirstpeoples/
K-3	BC	In Our Own Words: Bringing Authentic First Peoples Content to the K-3 Classroom	FNESC	This book is a compilation of lesson plans and activity ideas linked to the BC curriculum. It includes 20 pages of FAQs that are a great resource.	This resource can be purchased through the FNESC website, some parts are available HERE.
K-9	BC	Authentic First Peoples Resources	FNESC	This book is a collection of resource descriptions, each description includes title, author, illustrator, description, features, grade level, curriculum area, theme, and the number of pages	This resource can be purchased through FNESC HERE and is available online HERE.
K-12	BC	Indigenous Education Resources Inventory	FNESC+	A non-comprehensive list of Indigenous education resources. The intent of these materials is to help further incorporate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into B.C. classrooms. The inventory includes guides, books and e-books, articles, websites, videos, and other materials. Educators may find this inventory useful for supporting personal and professional Indigenous learning.	HERE is a direct link to the inventory
All Ages	Canada	The Four Branches & Indigenous Lenses	Natural Curiosity	This is a free online course for adults/teachers.	HERE is a link to the free digital self-guided course
K-12	Canada	It's Our Time: Education Toolkit	Assembly of First Nations	The AFN Toolkit comprises 22 learning modules designed to enhance understanding of important First Nations topics, ensuring both students and teachers learn in and out of the classroom.	https://education.afn.ca/afntoolkit/learning-modules/
K-12	Canada	Outdoor Learning School Resources Webpage	OLSS	Outdoor Learning School & Store has collected Indigenous Learning Resources onto one webpage. Each resource is described.	https://outdoorlearning.com/indigenous-resources-canada/

Grade Specific Resources by Subject & Theme

GRADE	UNIT/SUBJECT	TITLE	AUTHOR	DESCRIPTION OF RESOURCE	LINKS	THEMES
5	Ancient civilizations	How Things Came to Be: Inuit Stories of Creation	Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley	Book - 75 pages - Intro plus nine stories and an ending, lovely images	-Amazon for purchase HERE  -Same myths but different authors online resource HERE	-Human and spirit as one. -Life emerging from the dream state. - Beginning loss of connection to spirit -Used as Mythology and ELA base content
1-4	Self-reflection or animals	Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox	Danielle Daniel	Self-reflection related to the animal world: Anishinaabe traditional totem animals.	-A read aloud version on Youtube HERE -Danielle Daniel bio HERE	-Animal totems and their characteristics. -Feeling of self related to animals
1 or 3	Nature story or farming / food	Berry Song	Michaela Goade	A simple book about berries with beautiful drawings.	-A read aloud version on Youtube HERE -Michaela Goade bio HERE	-Taking care of nature, edible berries -Being part of the land -Ancestors
3-4	History and or Geography	We are All Treaty People	Betty Lynxleg	A book from the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Center.	-Background on treaties for adult reading HERE -Resources for Rethinking link to book description and curriculum links HERE. -​Betty Lynxleg bio HERE	-Treaties, relationships, respect -Little text, lot of pictures
2-4	Nature, cycle of life, art	Be a Good Ancestor	Leona and Gabrielle Prince	Rooted in Indigenous teachings this stunning picture book encourages readers of all ages to consider the ways in which they live in connection to the world around them and to think deeply about their behaviours.	-Interview with the Prince sisters HERE -Resources for Rethinking curriculum links HERE.	-Nature, interconnectedness, responsibility
4-6	Residential Schools	When We Were Alone	David Robertson & Julie Flett	Deals with the difficult topic of residential schooling, but coming from a point of love, resistance, family, and connection; Cree; An empowering story of resistance that gently introduces children to the history of residential schools in Canada.	-Youtube read aloud HERE. -Canada Learning Code lesson plans for this book HERE.	-Resitance, love, connection, residential schools
2 or 4	Nature stories or home surroundings for Gr2 or human and animal Gr4	Why Ravens and Wolves Hunt Together	​Celestine Aleck	In this Coast Salish story, a wolf pup is transformed into a raven so that he can help his mother hunt during the long winter months. It is a natural occurrence that ravens assist wolves in their hunt.	-YouTube read aloud HERE. -Youtube science connection to this phenomena HERE.	-Interconnectedness of nature
3	Creation / origin	Traditional Stories and Creation Stories	Various storytellers share traditional tales	The Canadian Museum of History, a collection of six stories, is provided as oral recordings, and a PDF version is linked as well.	-Find the link to the website HERE	-Creation and other traditional tales
3-5	Origin and traditional animal stories	Stories From the Land	Various storytellers share traditional tales	Museum of Vancouver, a collection of 16 stories provided as oral recordings by Chief Campbell.	Find the link to the website HERE.	-Creation and other traditional tales
2-5	Nature, Botany	The Story of the Golden Spruce	Haida Tourism Website	The Haida Nation has two websites; this tourism site is connected to their community website. This story is among others that detail some of the area's significant plants and animals.	Find the story HERE.	-Awe in nature, significance, tragedy and overcoming loss
5	Residential Schools	I Am Not a Number	​Dr. Jenny Dupuis & Kathy Kacer	A picture book about a girl in a residential school, to be used as a teacher resource, not for the students directly: When Irene is removed from her First Nations family to live in a residential school, she is confused, frightened and terribly homesick. She tries to remember who she is and where she came from despite being told to do otherwise. When she goes home for the summer holidays, her parents decide never to send her away again, but where will she hide, and what will happen when her parents disobey the law?	-YouTube read aloud HERE. -Dupuis bio HERE	-Loss, fear, separation, abuse, love, protection, escape
5	Residential Schools	Resident schools: the devastating impact on Canada's Indigenous people and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's findings and Calls for Action.	Melanie Florence	Detailed teacher resources.	-Find a Canadian Course Readings preview of this book HERE where you can preview each chapter and read the overview. -Melanie Florence bio HERE.	-The experiences of those who suffered at residential schools.
5	Residential Schools	Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation	Monique Gray Smith	Canada's relationship with its Indigenous people has suffered as a result of both the residential school system and the lack of understanding of the historical and current impact of those schools. Healing and repairing that relationship requires education, awareness and increased understanding of the legacy and the impacts still being felt by Survivors and their families. Guided by acclaimed Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith, readers will learn about the lives of Survivors and listen to allies who are putting the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into action.	-Orcabooks.com website about the book HERE that includes an interview video with the author. Other pages on this site are helpful links to connected themes on the topic of reconciliation -YouTube videos in which the author talks about the book HERE	-The experiences of those who suffered at residential schools
5	Residential Schools	The Orange Shirt Story	Phyllis Webstad	This true story also inspired the movement of Orange Shirt Day. When Phyllis Webstad (née Jack) turned six, she attended the residential school for the first time. On her first day at school, she wore a shiny orange shirt that her Granny had bought for her, but when she got to school, it was taken away from her and never returned.	-The Orange Shirt Society website HERE will tell you about the day, about the author, and about the story that inspired it all -YouTube read aloud HERE	-One child's story of residential school
5	Residential Schools	White Raven	Teoni Spathelfer	One day, Little Wolf’s mother, White Raven, visits and begins to tell her grandchildren stories from her own childhood. But the stories are not happy ones. As a child, White Raven left her family to attend St. Michael’s Residential School in Alert Bay, BC. While there, she experienced hunger, loneliness, shame, and isolation from her language and her culture.	-HERE is the book. -HERE is a Canadian Review of Materials review of the book, it is "highly recommended" -HERE is a Thrive Global webpage about the	The author retells the story of her mother Lena White's experience at residential school.
1-5	Haida, supernatural beings and nature	Magical Beings of Haida Gwai	Terry-Lynn Williams-Davidson	Based on ancient Haida narratives, this vibrantly illustrated children's book empowers young people and teaches them to live in harmony with nature.	-HERE is a Youtube read-aloud of portions of the books in which the speaker gives a bit of cultural background -HERE is a wiki bio of the author	-Haida culture and traditional tales, nature, supernatural beings
4-9	Inuksuk/Art	Inuksuk Journey: An Artist at the Top of the World	Mary Wallace	Beautiful painting of an Inukshuk - can be used as inspiration for art in the upper grades.​	-HERE is a UofC resource webpage about the book	-Inuksuk, painting, drawing
1-3	Self-reflection, nature	Sometimes I Feel Like a River	Danielle Daniel	Self-reflection related to nature.	-HERE is a Youtube read-aloud of the book	-Self reflection, nature, beauty, poetry
2-5	Nature studies, Botany	Whispers of the Earth - A Journey Through Indigenous Wisdom	Launa Purcell, Illustrated by Carla Joseph	From the back of the book: You will follow a path once tread by those before us, where the songs of the trees, the dance of the rivers, and our stories are carried by the wind. These teachings are invaluable treasures passed down through generations. You'll discover the language of animals, the lessons of plants, and the wisdom of the land. If you listen closely, you will hear the Whispers of the Earth, guiding you on this incredible adventure. Nice drawings, simple and powerful statement about nature.	-HERE is the book on the Outdoor Learning Store.	-Plants, animals, nature, translated words in Ucwalmicwts; nice drawings
1-8	Nature Studies, PHE, games, First Nation studies	Heartbeat of the Earth - A handbook on Connecting Children to Nature through Indigenous Teachings	Launa Purcell	Nature is a place to both play and learn. The physical self is moving and active, the mental self is thinking and questioning, the emotional self is feeling and experiencing, and the spiritual self is connecting and thankful. We see what we have been taught to see. We love and respect our natural surroundings when we see ourselves as belonging to that community. This resource leads readers on a rich learning journey as they deepen their connections to nature and culture. The activities inside instill traditional teachings of respect, honour, resourcefulness, and humility in children. This handbook is intended to inspire parents, caregivers, and educators to provide children with meaningful outdoor experiences interwoven with traditional indigenous knowledge.	-HERE is the book on the Outdoor Learning Store.	-Play, games, connection of nature through First Nations activities
1-3	Fairytale journey; leaving ones community and returning with more wisdom and maturity.	A Dance Through the Seasons	Leona Prince & Carla Joseph	While the adults struggle with an important decision about the future of their community, Young Woman is gifted the solution in a dream. However, the adults don't recognize the wisdom in Young Woman. Discouraged, she begins a year-long journey towards self-discovery and resilience. With Turtle as her guide, they move through the seasons utilizing traditional practices of the Dakelh (Carrier) people. A year later, Young Woman returns with more knowledge than ever and is listened to by the elders.	-HERE is the book on the Outdoor Learning Store.	-Journey story, transition, learning from nature