Understanding Indigenous Peoples: Foundations of Knowledge and Learning

This workshop will aim to provide participants with a foundational understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and contemporary issues in Canada. This introductory workshop will cover the diversity of Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, highlighting their unique cultures, languages, and histories through maps, videos, and interactive charts. The session will address the impact of colonization, including the residential school system, the Indian Act, and land dispossession, and explore key historical moments like treaty rights and Indigenous sovereignty. Participants will learn about Indigenous worldviews, including the deep connection to land, community, and spirituality, often shared through storytelling and traditional knowledge keepers. The workshop will also focus on ongoing challenges such as the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, land rights, and environmental justice. Interactive components, like reflection journals, group discussions, and guest speakers, will encourage empathy and self-reflection. The workshop will conclude by providing actionable steps for participants to become allies to Indigenous peoples, emphasizing the importance of land acknowledgements and supporting Indigenous communities.