1. Building Bridges – Issue 1: This theme-based resource examines Canada’s colonial history and its impact on Indigenous Peoples through the lens of current events. The theme of the September issue is Residential Schools, including #215 and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Download this 45-page pdf, available in two levels (Level 1– grades 5 and up; Level 2 – grades 8 and up) here
2. The Canadian Reader – Issue 1: The September issue of this publication, aimed at students in grades 3 and up, includes the article ‘Paper Cranes Honour the Children’. This story explores a project being led by the Japanese Cultural Association in Manitoba encouraging Japanese Canadians to make paper cranes as a way of showing support for Residential School Survivors and their families, and honouring the children who died. You can find this article, and a detailed lesson plan, on pp. 24-31 of the full resource, available here. (Enter the password 'silver' to download.)
3. Currents4Kids (grades 3 and up) and News4Youth (grades 8 and up) offer a number of Indigenous and reconciliation-themed articles written for students, as well as quizzes, writing prompts, links, and extension activities. The article ‘Every Child Matters’, published in June 2021, discusses the discovery of unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Access these articles and their accompanying resources by signing up for a free, no-obligation 30-day trial at Currents4Kids.com and News4Youth.com. (Note that these are separate publications; you will need to create an account for each one that you wish to access.) Click on ‘Archives’ and select ‘Indigenous’ to search for relevant content. Download a pdf of any article and quiz on the Teacher’s Corner tab.
4. What in the World? – Issue 1: The article 'A New Governor General for Canada' explores the significance of Mary Simon's installation as Canada's 30th – and first Indigenous – Governor General in the context of the recent discoveries of unmarked graves at former Indian Residential Schools. This article, and the accompanying curriculum, are found on pages 5-10 of the pdf available here. The password to download the Level 1 version is 'soccer'; the Level 2 password is 'gold'.