Local Indigenous Communities

Learn about Indigenous communities, best practices in Indigenous research and more.

We acknowledge the land as an act of reconciliation that honors the authentic history of Turtle Island and the original people of this territory.

Calgary Foundation

The Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs' Association (T7FNCA) serves as the political entity for the Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs and leadership to collectively advocate for the rights and needs of each nation in the Treaty 7 territory.

The Siksikaitsitapi – Blackfoot Confederacy is a Tribal Council for the Blackfoot Confederacy Nations of Kainai-Blood Tribe, Siksika, Peigan-Piikani and Aamskapi Pikuni.

Siksika Nation is located one hour’s drive east of the city of Calgary and three kilometres south of the Trans Canada Highway

The Piikani Nation is a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy consisting of the Bloods/Kainai, the Siksika/Blackfoot and the South Piegan/Blackfeet in Montana.

The Kainai Nation is part of the Blackfoot Confederacy and is based in Southern Alberta, bordered by the Old Man River, the St. Mary River, and the Belly River.

The Tsuut’ina Nation is located in the southwest of Calgary.

The Stoney Nakoda Nations live primarily in Mini Thni (Morley), Rabbit Lake, Eden Valley and Big Horn.

Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has governed the Métis within Alberta.

Indigenous Education Organizations

The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada

With your students, join a youth-driven movement calling for First Nations children to have the same chance as other Canadians to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of their cultures. Young people join their efforts together throughout the year especially on February 14 for Have a Heart Day and on June 11 for Our Dreams Matter Too. To sign up for your class, to participate and for countless other ways to get involved please visit the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada.
Project of Heart

Project of Heart is an award-winning initiative that commemorates the lives lost at Indian residential schools. Students hear testimony from a survivor and decorate a wooden tile in honour of one of the thousands of children who died at the schools. The final step is for students to take action together for social justice. The project focuses on the learning that takes place at the level of the spirit and heart and not just the mind.
100 Years of Loss, Teaching Bundle

The 100 Years of Loss, Teaching Bundle has been developed by The Legacy of Hope Foundation. It is designed to support educators and administrators in raising awareness and teaching about the history and legacy of residential schools. It is for Canadian youth aged 11 to 18 and includes six multi-layered lesson plans, a wall-mounted timeline, and survivor videos, as well as teacher resources and extension activities.
Indigenous Relations Training Program

University of Calgary's Indigenous Relations Training Program offered by the Writing Symbols Lodge has been providing professional (and often personal) development to students, professionals, and members of the community. It is a unique program that engages Indigenous program facilitators and Elders to provide a truly immersive learning experience.

Indigenous Cultural Training Resources for the Workplace

Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business positions Indigenous business at the focal point for strengthening Indigenous communities, promoting progressive and prosperous relationships, and growing a new economy based on mutual respect and shared prosperity.
Implicit Association Test

The Implicit Association Test measures the strength of associations between concepts and evaluations or stereotypes. The main idea is that making a response is easier when closely related items share the same response key.
KAIROS Blanket Exercise

KAIROS Blanket Exercise is based on using Indigenous methodologies and the goal is to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. Everyone is actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the land, and into the role of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples. By engaging on an emotional and intellectual level, the Blanket Exercise effectively educates and increases empathy.

Virtual Indigenous Education Tools

Historical events and interactions between First Nation, Métis, Inuit and the governments of the time have resulted in conflict and trauma that continue into the present. This 60-minute virtual exercise will explore six of the many significant events and policies, their multigenerational impacts, and how Inuit, Métis and First Nation people are moving forward toward healing. Please visit Healing Historical Trauma ~ Walking Together for the lesson and Healing Historical Trauma: Beginning Together Activity – Talking Together for the lesson plan.

Indigenous Cultural Education Videos/Films

Hi-Ho Mistahey! is an inspiring film on Shannen’s Dream and the struggle for a new school in Attawapiskat, Ontario.

The CBC series 8th Fire is a good overview of contemporary Indigenous issues and can be viewed over several classes.

Treaty Road is a documentary series that provides an overview of the Numbered Treaties in Canada.

Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary

Aboriginal Futures Indigenous Career and Education Supports

Miskanawah offers evidence-informed, supportive services to people in the Calgary area as they strengthen their circles of self, family, community, and culture.

Metis Calgary Family Services is a non profit, charitable Aboriginal organization that provides responsive, community-based, services which are culturally specific for our urban aboriginal community.

Métis Local 87

First Nations Health Consortium (FNHC) is an Alberta-wide organization developed to improve access to health, social, and education services and supports to First Nations and Inuit Children throughout the province, living both on and off reserve.

The Circle for Aboriginal Relations (CFAR) is a registered non-profit, non-partisan Society of professionals from diverse backgrounds who work within Aboriginal relations groups in communities, governments and industries.

Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY) aims to enrich the lives of all urban Indigenous youth by nurturing self-empowerment and fostering healthy collaboration and communication to ensure healthy future generations.

Stoney Nakoda-Tsuut'ina Tribal Council coordinates collaborative regional service delivery and capacity-building initiatives and acts as primary liaison between federal and provincial governments to serve their Nations as advocates.

Calgary and Area Inuit Group