Canada 150 Project to Develop an Indigenous-Led Educational Tool
News Release
OTTAWA, June 8, 2017
In keeping with the Government’s commitment to build a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples, the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced on behalf of the Government of Canada $2,084,000 in funding for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society to support its Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada project which will highlight the history and the communities of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society—in partnership with Indspire, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council, the Assembly of First Nations, and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation—will work together to develop the content for this Indigenous-led educational resource.
The fully bilingual atlas will be used for educational purposes, and will be made available to Canadians in multiple formats, including a print atlas, an interactive online website, a giant floor map for schools, tiled maps for downloading, plastic-coated maps for frequent consultation, poster maps and a classroom app. Teaching guides and lessons plans will help connect the content with curricula, as will dedicated issues of Canadian Geographic and Géographica.
The Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada will build capacity for intercultural understanding, dialogue, empathy and mutual respect and act as a powerful educational tool that will help facilitate the renewal of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples.
Part of the funding provided by the Government of Canada to the Royal Canadian Geographical Society comes from the Canada 150 Fund. This fund supports local, regional and Canada-wide activities that allow Canadians across the country to celebrate and help make 2017 a year to remember.
Quotes
“There is no relationship more important to our government than the one with Indigenous Peoples. That is why we are pleased to support the Royal Canadian Geographic Society and its partners in their initiative to provide Canadians with a new Indigenous educational resource. As we continue down the path of reconciliation, let’s work to ensure that the next 150 years are marked by respect, cooperation and partnership with Indigenous Peoples.”
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
“In recognition of Canada 150, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society has taken on a mission to allow Canadians to learn more about Indigenous Peoples. This new educational resource allows us to continue together on the path of reconciliation, to ensure that the next 150 years are filled with respect, trust and optimism.”
—The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs
“It is our hope that this Atlas will help Canadians to build a better understanding of Indigenous Peoples, appreciate their contribution to building our great country, and ultimately begin the process of reconciliation.”
—John Geiger, Chief Executive Officer, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Quick Facts
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The main themes of the Government of Canada’s vision for Canada 150 are diversity and inclusion, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, the environment and youth.
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The Canada 150 Fund was established in April 2015 and has a total budget of $200 million.
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Through the Fund, the Government of Canada makes strategic investments in activities that support the vision of Canada 150 and encourage Canadians to participate directly.
Associated Links
Contacts
For more information (media only), please contact:
Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca
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