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The first step towards understanding Indigenous history is recognizing that Indigenous peoples in Canada are strong and resilient. Though severely threatened—and sometimes in extreme adversity—Indigenous peoples vigorously uphold their languages, forms of government, and cultural ways. In Canada, the term “Indigenous” refers to the descendants of the original inhabitants of North America. The Canadian Constitution recognizes three Indigenous peoples: First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, all exceptionally diverse, carrying a unique knowledge, wisdom, and a remarkable perspective on nature, animals, land, and human life at large (Alberta Education, 2005; Champagne, 2018; The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2020).
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Image: John Hunter (Sitting Eagle), Stoney chief, Banff" by Matthew Burpee is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Millenia before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century, Indigenous societies were complex and communal; significant decisions were made on a consensus basis by councils. Unlike western cultures, life was seen as a cyclical process. Hence time was conceived as a boomerang, not an arrow. Most notably, many Indigenous societies were matrilineal, meaning that descent – wealth, power, and inheritance— were passed down through the mother. Nevertheless, in Indigenous cultures, both men and women are cherished and respected. Likewise, if aging is accompanied by knowledge, wisdom, and practice, men and women alike become Elders and Knowledge Keepers (Hanson, 2009; Government of Alberta, n.d.; Wilson, 2019).
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According to Indigenous professor Hayalthkin’geme (Carey Newman), it is a misunderstanding to believe that colonialism happened a long time ago. On the contrary, colonialism is alive and well in Canada today in the lived experience of Indigenous peoples. As an illustration, current legal fights over pipelines trigger historical conversations about land rights; the glorification of past oppressors through monuments and statues continues to reaffirm colonialist values of domination, appropriation, and containment. Despite that, Indigenous peoples courageously attempt to thrive and contribute to the prosperity of Canada (Clogg, 2020; Das, 2020).
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Road allowance kitten = Li pchi minoosh di shmayn'd liing by 
