The following third-party resources are not necessarily endorsed by the OAA or its Council, but are shared here to offer new tools and perspectives on topics related to Indigenous architecture and Truth and Reconciliation.
This list will continue to grow and evolve—if you have suggestions for websites or organizations that should be listed here, email oaamail@oaa.on.ca.
General Information on Truth and Reconciliation
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Observed on September 30, learn more about this day, which honours the lost children and Survivors (as well as their families) of residential schools.
Reconciliation: A Starting Point mobile app: is a reference tool for learning about First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, including key historical events and examples of reconciliation initiatives. Users will learn why reconciliation matters and what public servants need to know and do to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: Information about National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, which continues the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) that was created through a legal settlement between Survivors, the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit representatives, and the parties responsible for creation and operation of residential schools—the federal government and the church bodies.
The 94 Calls to Action: Read the 94 Calls to Action brought forth by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).
Beyond 94: The CBC is tracking the government’s response to the 94 Calls to Action. As of July 1, 2021, 14 have been completed, 23 have projects underway, 37 have projects proposed, and 20 have yet to be started.
Native-land.ca: Native Land Digital is a registered Canadian not-for-profit organization striving to foster conversations about the history of colonialism, Indigenous ways of knowing, and settler-Indigenous relations, through an interactive map that highlights languages, treaties, and territories in Canada and around the world.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP): In June 2021, Canada’s Senate voted to pass Bill C-15, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act into law and it received Royal Assent shortly thereafter. Read more about this international instrument to enshrine the “survival, dignity, and well-being” of Indigenous peoples around the world.
Indigenous Canada: This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Native Studies explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this free 12-week course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.
Indigenous Resources for Allies: Myseum's list of resources "meant as a starting point for learning, unlearning, and reflecting about the history of Canada and the historic and contemporary issues faced by Indigenous peoples as a consequence of colonialism."
Reconciliation Education: This portal offers "online courses and films provide a comprehensive, customized anti-racist education in line with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action." It aims to "promote a renewed relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Settlers through transformative multi-media learning."
Indigenous Architecture
RAIC Indigenous Task Force: The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Indigenous Task Force (ITF) works to “foster and promote Indigenous design and architecture in Canada in rural, Métis, and Northern communities, First Nations and urban spaces, and to advocate with and on behalf of Indigenous communities.” It believes “architecture is a public-spirited profession with an important role in reconciliation—addressing injustices by giving agency back to Indigenous people. ” Among its resources, this page includes the RAIC’s Land/Territorial Acknowledgment Resource.
Unceded: Multimedia travelling installation that brings together the past, present and future of the Indigenous experience, as seen through the eyes and minds of 18 distinguished Indigenous architects and designers from across Turtle Island. Organized around four themed territories, the installation features the work of architects and designers as they tell their stories of Indigeneity, resilience, sovereignty and colonization. It was created to represent Canada at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale
Building Solutions: Indigenous Land, Urban Stories is a project by master’s students at the Ryerson School of Journalism with support from Journalists for Human Rights (JHR). This piece, by Amanda Short, looks at “three architects and educators who are engaging Indigenous communities to help them facilitate their own visions for the future.”
Landscape Architecture and Indigenous Territories: An article from the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) publication, Ground.
Films, Podcasts, and Books
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Collection: To
mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, hear the
stories of Indigenous voices through this collection of movies, specials,
and documentaries.
From Earth to Sky: 2021 TVO documentary about Indigenous architects
Toronto Society of Architects Playlist: Documentaries on First Nations land issues and and interviews with Indigenous architects
Anishinabek Nation Treaty Education: Kid-friendly animated educational videos
Voices of the Land: Book examining Indigenous design and planning from the Prairies, edited by Naomi Ratte and Reanna Merasty
Old Stories, New Ways: Conversations About an Architecture Inspired by Indigenous Ways of Knowing, by Vivian Manasc (book excerpt available here)