Indigenous Learning Series

Understanding cultures: let's talk

Under the themes of Recognition, Respect, Relationships and Reconciliation, the Indigenous Learning Series provides access to resources, courses, workshops and events on the history, heritage, cultures, rights and perspectives of Canada's Indigenous Peoples, as well as on their varied and long-standing relationships with the Crown.

The School offers a growing suite of resources that will help you increase your cultural skills and awareness of issues related to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, as well as the role and responsibilities of the Government of Canada towards these peoples.

National Indigenous History Month
This year, National Indigenous History Month is dedicated to the missing children, the families left behind and the survivors of residential schools.

Mobile App

Reconciliation: A Starting Point
This learning application serves as a reference tool to learn about First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, including key historical events and examples of reconciliation initiatives.

Courses

Online foundational courses (self-paced)

Reflecting on Cultural Bias: Indigenous Perspectives (K099)
With a focus on understanding Indigenous Peoples, this online self-paced course demystifies the idea of unconscious cultural bias and explores issues of prejudice and discrimination.
The Uncomfortable Truth (K100)
This course presents the difficult facts about the historical relationship between the Government of Canada and Indigenous peoples.
First Nations in Canada (K101)
This course looks at some of the governance structures, traditions and current realities of First Nations and their relationships with the Government of Canada.
Métis in Canada (K102)
This course provides a brief introduction to Métis people and the complexity of emerging Métis identity across Canada today.
Inuit in Canada (K103)
This course provides a brief introduction to Inuit in Canada and helps you to better understand the relationship between Inuit and the Government of Canada.
Taking Steps Towards Indigenous Reconciliation (K400)
This online self-paced course supports the government's commitment to the value and outcomes of reconciliation by exploring in depth the four themes featured throughout the Indigenous Learning Series: recognition, respect, relationships, and reconciliation.

Classroom courses

KAIROS Blanket Exercise (K104)
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise will help public servants learn about and understand the shared history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, including loss of Indigenous lands and cultural assimilation policies.
Reconciliation Begins with Me (K105)
In this course, participants will learn about the little-known history, the impact of residential schools, the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the obligations of public servants while considering respectful protocols.
Cultural Competency – Indigenous Perspectives (K106)
This course is designed to help employees identify their respective biases and values and develop cultural competencies to build positive and respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples within a public service context.
Introduction to Canada's Colonial History (K113)
Participants will learn how the relationships between First Peoples and other people in Canada have developed over the past 500 years and will be better prepared to begin the work of addressing the impact of this history on all Canadians.
Making a Difference in Supporting the Careers of Indigenous Employees (K114)
This course provides human resources specialists and managers with concrete ways to help facilitate the hiring, retention and advancement of Indigenous employees within the public service.
Modern Treaty and Self-Government Agreement Implementation for Policy and Program Officers (K208)
Participants will learn how to conduct an Assessment of Modern Treaty Implications and apply a modern treaty and self-government lens to the development of policies, programs, and services.

Job aids

Guide to Cultural Protocols
Designed to help public service employees understand the importance of existing protocols in Indigenous communities.
Historical timeline
A learning tool that explores the history of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Crown in Canada.
Indigenous E-Learning: Tools and resources
A list of tools and resources to support those looking to expand their knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, to better understand the realities of their lives, and the role of the public service in advancing reconciliation.
Indigenous Languages in Canada and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages
This job aid draws attention to the critical loss of Indigenous languages in Canada and around the world and offers resources to help increase awareness of the urgent need to preserve, revitalize, and promote these languages.
Reading List on Current Indigenous Topics
This reference tool provides a list of readings that support current understandings of the experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada.
Reconciliation: The Fundamentals (Primer and Guide)
Both resources aim to equip public servants with a basic understanding of reconciliation, and to inform how they approach their work.
Territorial acknowledgment
Ideas and tips on how to acknowledge Indigenous territories before meetings.
Timeline of Influential Indigenous Women
Timeline of over 150 influential First Nations, Inuit and Métis women, recognizing the vital roles and contributions of Indigenous women to Canadian society.
Understanding What Is Behind an Expression

This reference tool provides the cultural and historical context of a number of common expressions and explains why they may reinforce negative stereotypes, racial profiling, prejudice, stigma and discrimination against Indigenous Peoples.

Podcast

Sitting by the Fire
This podcast series offers topics that will expand your knowledge of First Nations, the Inuit and Métis.

Videos

Elder Talk: Exploring Identity
Elder Gerry Oleman, a member of the St'at'imc Nation in British Columbia talks about how identity is formed both collectively and for each individual, how identity is imposed on us, and how we can also create our own identities. (Event held on January 13, 2021)
Indigenous Leaders Panel
Indigenous leaders discuss how the public service should be approaching its mandate for reconciliation.
The Indigenous Learning Series Trailer
A collection of video clips of Indigenous leaders and public servants discussing the meaning of reconciliation.
Many Eagle Set Dance Song (Michif Song)
This is the story of the "Many Eagle Set Sundance Song" as told by Folklorist and Author Nicholas Vrooman.
The Memoirs of Russell Moses, Residential School Survivor
John Moses speaks about his father Russell Moses' childhood experiences in a residential school.
The Path of Reconciliation
A collection of video clips of Indigenous leaders and executives of the Public Service of Canada discussing the path of reconciliation.
Reconciliation Through the Arts
Video clips of artists, Indigenous leaders and public servants discussing the role of the arts in the reconciliation process.
Truth and Reconciliation (with Senator Murray Sinclair)
Senator Murray Sinclair discusses the legacy of the Canadian government's policy towards Indigenous people, and the path towards reconciliation.
What does Indigenous mean?
From 'Indian' to 'Indigenous': the historical pursuit of one umbrella term that applies to all.
Why I Joined the Public Service
Indigenous public servants share their experiences and advice with Indigenous youth new to the public service.

Our Cultural Centre

Most of the courses in the Indigenous Learning Series are offered at our Cultural Centre (Canada Room), located at 111 Sussex Drive in Ottawa.

Interior of Cultural Centre (Canada Room)

Connect with us

Contact the Indigenous Learning Team for questions or comments. Tell us what topics you would like to see and how we can best help you by emailing: csps.ils-saqa.efpc@canada.ca.