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National Indigenous Peoples Day was first proclaimed in 1996 by then Governor General Romeo LeBlanc to honour the unique heritage, culture and outstanding contributions of Canada’s Indigenous peoples. In consultation with First Nations, Inuit and Metis organizations, June 21 was selected because of the significance of the summer solstice in Indigenous culture and tradition.

Map Exploration

• Use the interactive map on Native Land to identify which Indigenous territories, treaties, and Indigenous languages are in your school’s surrounding area. Take some time to learn about the history and culture of those who have been on the land since time immemorial.

Acknowledge the Land

• Indigenous peoples have a deep connection with the land, including animate and in-animate things in nature. Discuss as a class what you are most grateful for on the land where you live. Consider going outside and helping remind students of the land around them. Suggest that they write a personal reflection in a journal entry on their relationship with the environment.

The Honorable Harvest

• Teach your students about the guidelines outlined by Dr. Robin Wall-Kimmerer on how we should respect the land and what we take from it. What do these statements mean to your students? What examples can they come up with?

All Things Connected

• Indigenous peoples believe that all things are connected. From the seeds of plants to the rivers and animals, everything is connected. Indigenous peoples have unique traditions and values, especially when it comes to animals. One animal may represent different values for different Indigenous groups. Encourage your students to select an animal that is native to Turtle Island and discover the name for that animal in different Indigenous languages and what it represents to different Indigenous groups. Ask them to reflect on their personal knowledge of the animal, what role does it play in its ecosystem? Collaborate with another class, or ask older grades to teach their learning to younger grades.

Outdoor Sharing Circle

• Consider having a sharing circle outside on the topic of your choice. Sharing circles are great for classroom community building. Students learn how to be respectful, take turns, and be accountable by making sure that everything shared within the circle is not shared outside of it.

Celebrating Traditions

• Ask your Indigenous students if they are comfortable with performing traditional dances for the school in their regalia. Share what the significance of the regalia, the dances, and the music are for Indigenous peoples with the rest of the school.

Grades K-3 - Journey Through the Circle of Life

A Journey Through the Circle of Life honours the Métis tradition of respecting the wisdom of elders with this unique bond between a Métis child and her grandfather. Grandfather, Pépère lives on a farm and every chance his granddaughter, Cheyenne has, she visits the farm. Cheyenne’s grandfather teaches her to plant a tree every year to honour Mother Nature and respect the circle of life. 

Grades 4 to 7 - Claire and her Grandfather

This resource is designed to raise awareness of the many historical and contemporary contributions of First Nations and Inuit people to Canada and the world. The story portrays a discussion between young Claire and her grandfather, an Indigenous elder who teaches Claire the geography of Canada, from a First Nations perspective. Students learn about many Indigenous contributions related to food, transportation, exploration, the arts and technology through the story of Claire, who is learning about her heritage so she may share some of her family history and culture with her classmates

Grades K-12 - Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada Giant Floor Map

This resource offers a unique perspective on our country’s geography that is vital to understanding the history and diverse cultures of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. The giant floor map does not contain provincial boundaries, names of provinces, or many of the current names of cities and towns. It shows unsettled land claims, treaties and settlement lands, reserves and locations of former residential schools in Canada. The map is intended to be walked on and is accompanied by a binder of educational resources and activities designed for elementary and secondary students. This interactive experience allows students to explore multiple aspects connected to history and present-day Indigenous Peoples living in Canada.

Grades 9-12 - Four Directions Teachings                                   

Four Directions Teachings is a visually stunning, audio narrated resource for learning about indigenous knowledge and philosophy from five diverse First Nations in Canada. Four Directions Teachings honours oral tradition by creating an environment where visitors are encouraged to listen as each elder/traditional teacher shares a teaching from their perspective on the richness and value of cultural traditions from their culture.



Teachers may select any combination of videos representing the traditions of the five First Nations and further explore their chosen focus with the help of the accompanying age-appropriate lesson plans.

You can find all of these resources and more on the R4R.ca website. R4R.ca provides immediate access to more than 1800 quality classroom resources and connects teachers to lesson plans, books, videos and other materials that explore the environmental, social and economic dimensions of important issues and events unfolding in our world today.

As this school year is wrapping up, it is time to look forward to the next school year and do some Professional Development Planning. Book your professional development sessions with LSF by filling out the interest form below!

Visit our Professional Development page for upcoming workshops!

Check out some of our other resources!

Looking for more ideas for including sustainable learning in your classroom? Check out some of our other resources:

• Visit R4R for some great climate change resources (books, videos, lesson plans, games, etc.)
• Learning Inside Out is LSF's weekly collection of learning activities for grades K-12, hand-picked from our award-winning R4R database.
• Looking to get outside and connect with nature this year? Don’t forget our Step Outside guides on R4R!
• Our Climate Change Inquiry Resources: Empowering Learners in a Warming World are fully online or downloadable to bring climate change learning into your K-2, 3-6 and 7-12 classroom!
• Our Green Jobs: Adapting to our Changing Climate video series introduces students to Canadian experts who build climate resilience in their work
• Access the SFS Playbook here.

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