Roots of Reconciliation

How to Use this Resource                            

Roots of Reconciliation was created in large part to grow the confidence of educators so that they would be supported in sharing and working with Mi’kmaw cultural content and experience. It is intentionally laid out in three levels: Foundations, Treaties, and Renewal and Reconciliation. It is difficult to make sense of reconciliation if an educator or learner has not been introduced to the history of residential schools. Likewise, it’s difficult to gauge the damage of the Treaty Denial period without first grasping what the Mi’kmaq sought to protect in the treaty-making process.

For example, the Mi’kmaq specifically protected netukulimk in the treaty-making process, only to have the Treaty Denial period ignore and actively restrict Mi’kmaw ways of knowing and being. Mi’kmaw priorities found in the treaties are grounded in Mi’kmaw culture and worldviews. Understanding Mi’kmaw experience does not need to be complicated or difficult. However, a logical progression makes understanding easier, which is why the three sections should be explored in the order in which they appear.

During the creation of this resource, many lengthy discussions were held about how to connect it to curriculum outcomes. Because the curriculum was undergoing a revision at the time, the decision was made not to link content to specific outcomes. Despite this, the authors, in partnership with educators, and Mi’kmaw Elders and knowledge carriers, have worked with general curriculum outcomes as well as age-appropriate strategies to develop Roots of Reconciliation and ensure it will be useful to teachers. This resource is designed to be adapted, scaled and modified as necessary.

While there is a print version of this resource available in limited quantities, Roots of Reconciliation, including all of its supplementary materials, is available in full for free online. (Note: supplementary materials will be rolled out in phases over the course of the first half of 2026. We are a small team, and we appreciate your patience as we make this resource the best that it can be!) You can explore the resource by clicking through the menu links at the top of the page.

Each level has four themed sections. At the beginning of each level there is an introduction to the content for that level; each section also has an introduction. These introductions are good ways for teachers to determine how to proceed with their learners. 

Learning Experiences

The learning experiences for each theme describe the activity with an Overview, Learners Will…section and a Focus section. Many include supplementary materials, all of which are available here on the site. There are also additional resources noted.

Pe! blocks

The Pe! blocks in each learning experience highlight the content required for the learning experience and notes where teachers and learners can gain content required for success. (Pe! means wait! Or hang on! in Mi’kmaw.)

Teacher Tips

Lastly, throughout the volume teachers will find tips that anticipate challenges with particular learning experiences. We hope these will help increase success with learners and support teachers as they use the learning experiences.

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Supplementary Materials

Supplementary materials for each Learning Experience (LE), including worksheets, graphics, discussion guidelines, and any other supporting content, are available here on our website. The Learning Experiences in the print version of Roots of Reconciliation all contain a link that will take educators to the digital version of the resource with full access to all supplementary materials. LEs also provide educators with additional resources to support activities or knowledge growth. Supplementary materials have been designed to be printed on both 8.5″ x 11″ and 11″ x 17″ paper.