For many older newcomers to Canada, understanding Indigenous histories and cultures can be challenging. A lack of knowledge often fosters misconceptions and untruths that can lead to racism and mistreatment of Indigenous peoples. For over 10 years, Intercultural Grandmothers Uniting (IGU) in Regina, Saskatchewan, has been working to change this.
Mādahòkì Farm, located in Ottawa’s Green Belt, is Canada’s only Indigenous Agri-Tourism destination and working farm. With a mission to preserve Indigenous culture and heritage, the farm offers projects, training programs and cultural events that connect visitors to the land and Indigenous traditions.
Like many Indigenous communities, Oneida Nation of the Thames in Ontario is facing a language crisis. With only 23 fluent first-language speakers remaining - all over the age of 65 - the community knows that time is running out to pass down their language to the next generation. Most of these speakers are limited in their ability to serve as teachers, making it even more urgent to create a plan to preserve their language.
Reconnecting with cultural and ancestral roots is a journey that begins within, guided by a strong spirit. For young Indigenous people, this connection is especially important as Indigenous traditions, languages, and communities experience a powerful resurgence. To support this growing need, the Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation in Pembroke, Ontario, is creating a space where youth can gather, learn, and celebrate their culture through land-based cultural camps.
The term "Métis" refers to individuals of mixed Indigenous and European heritage, reflecting the blending of two distinct cultures. The Métis Peoples are an integral part of history in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), having played important roles in the region’s economic, social, cultural, and political life. Yet, much of their history has been overlooked or forgotten, their contributions erased from the mainstream narrative. Métis communities have faced systemic discrimination and marginalization.
True reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples requires more than words - it needs tangible actions that preserve and celebrate Indigenous traditions and heritage. The Indigenous Ministry Office at the Diocese of Thunder Bay has been doing just that, fostering healing and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across northern Ontario.
Indigenous communities are working hard to piece together the threads of their cultures after centuries of efforts to erase their traditions. To support this revitalization, the Diocese of Thunder Bay is partnering with two Elders to bring a moccasin-making project to the community, ensuring an authentic and intergenerational learning experience.
Indigenous communities across Canada are facing a mental health crisis, with nearly one in three community members reporting severe psychological distress, compared to just over one in ten in the general population. This situation is worsened by systemic barriers that often overlook the unique cultural contexts and historical traumas of these communities. As a result, Indigenous peoples experience higher rates of suicide, addiction, intimate partner violence, and involvement in the criminal justice system.
For many Indigenous and Black seniors, finding safe, permanent housing can be an uphill battle. The lasting impacts of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, anti-Black racism, along with daily experiences of discrimination, have left many older adults without stable housing or access to adequate support systems. As a result, they face higher rates of homelessness and poorer health outcomes compared to other senior populations.
The Uut Uustukyuu Indigenous Healing Society, which operates out the Ahousaht First Nation on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, has been addressing the unique healing needs of Indigenous people through a trauma-informed and culturally grounded approach.
