Alberta government makes the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada available to all students province-wide

OTTAWA, Jan. 18, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Alberta has taken another step toward honouring its commitment to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by providing all Alberta students with educational resources that reflect the perspectives of First Nations, Métis and Inuit. The province has purchased 1,600 copies of Canadian Geographic's Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, an excellent teaching resource that will provide both teachers and students with the opportunity to learn about the history and cultures of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. 

Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada Book One - Truth and Reconciliation (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Geographical Society)

From left to right: Minister David Eggen Minister of Education, Minister Richard Feehan Minister of Indigenous Relations, Minister Brian Mason, Assistant Superintendent, Learning Services Enhancement Joe Naccarato Edmonton Catholic School District, Trustee Carla Smiley Edmonton Catholic School District, John Geiger, CEO, RCGS, and AFN Alberta Regional Chief Marlene Poitras gather on the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada Giant Floor Map and locate their home on the map. Photo: Amol Dhillon (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Geographical Society)

Learning on the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada Giant Floor Map Photo: Tanya Kirnishni (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Geographical Society)

"I applaud the Alberta Government for making Canadian Geographic's Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada accessible to every junior and high school in the province," says John Geiger, CEO of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. "The Atlas will certainly help Albertan students build a better understanding of the Indigenous Peoples in Canada, appreciate their contributions to Canadian society, and ultimately begin the process of reconciliation."

The Atlas content has been produced in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the Métis National Council (MNC), the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), and Indspire. These partners represent unparalleled breadth and depth of knowledge, expertise, and strong ties to their respective communities and networks.

"The Assembly of First Nations is encouraged by the interest shown in the Indigenous Peoples Atlas across the country, and this latest move by the Government of Alberta shows it can play an important role in public education. We hope to build on this momentum and expand awareness and understanding of First Nation cultures and contributions in shaping Canada. We all have a role in reconciliation, and this resource can help educators, students, schools and communities learn from and tell the story of our shared history," said Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde.

"Today's announcement adds to the resounding success of the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada. For the Métis Nation, this educational resource is a long time coming and the enthusiastic response of the Canadian public bears that out. I encourage other governments and education authorities to join us in ensuring that this important resource is available to students across Canada," said Clément Chartier, President of the Métis National Council.

The Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada was created in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, which cite the development of culturally appropriate curricula for Indigenous students as a top priority. Lack of appropriate educational and financial resources for Indigenous students in Canada has long been deemed a contributing factor to the marginalization of Indigenous communities.

"We are thrilled to see the Province of Alberta embrace the opportunities provided by the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation was deeply honoured to contribute to this resource we know will dramatically increase the quality of teaching in schools across the country," said Ry Moran, Director of the NCTR. 

"The Alberta government's decision signals an understanding of the importance of reflecting Indigenous knowledge in all curricula," said Roberta Jamieson, President & CEO, Indspire. "We are thrilled that Albertan students will have the opportunity to enrich their education by learning about our shared history and geography through the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada."

Book reviewers have praised the stunning beauty of the four-volume set, but it's the written word that has hooked readers all across Canada. This ambitious, ground-breaking educational resource is unprecedented in scope, as well as in the level of participation from Indigenous writers and content creators. Canadians have been buying the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada in record numbers, making it a national bestseller—no small feat for an educational resource. According to BookNet Canada, which tracks print book sales in the Canadian English-language trade market, the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada was the #1 bestselling Young Adult Non-Fiction print book for 2018.

Social Media Links:

Canadian Geographic Twitter: @CanGeo     National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Twitter: @NCTR_UM    

Métis National Council Twitter: @MNC_Tweets     Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Twitter: @ITK_CanadaInuit 

Assembly of First Nations Twitter: @AFN_Updates     Indspire Twitter:@Indspire    

RCGS Twitter: @RCGS.SGRC     Canadian Geographic Education Twitter: @CanGeoEdu    

#IndigAtlas

SOURCE Royal Canadian Geographical Society

Media Information: Lee-Anne Van Buekenhout, MBA, Communications Officer, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, University of Manitoba, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Ke Ning, Executive Assistant & Communications Officer, Métis National Council, Phone: [phone] ext. 511, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Amanda Charles, Communications & Marketing Specialist, Indspire, Phone: [phone], Email : [email protected]; Erin Brandt Filliter, Director of Communications, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Phone: [phone] ext. 272, Email: [email protected]; Deborah Chapman, Communications Manager, Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Phone: [phone] ext. 160, Mobile : [phone], Email: [email protected]; Jenna Young Castro, Communications Officer, Assembly of First Nations, Phone: [phone] ext. 201, Mobile : [phone], Email : [email protected]