If you’re a teacher looking to include more Indigenous perspectives in your classroom, you might be wondering where to start. You want your students to learn respectfully. You want to feel confident using Indigenous education resources that honour Indigenous cultures. And — let’s be honest — you want something that’s ready to go.
As an Indigenous educator, I’ve created a variety of Indigenous education resources that are thoughtful, age-appropriate, and classroom-tested. Whether you’re teaching about reconciliation, Indigenous heroes, art, or the natural world, these tools are designed to support you every step of the way.
Here are 10 Indigenous education resources that belong in every teacher’s toolkit — created with care to support meaningful learning and reflection.
1. Orange Shirt Day Bundle (Primary, Intermediate, or High School)
Best for: All grades
Start with the truth — age-appropriate, respectful lessons about residential schools and Phyllis Webstad’s story. These bundles include printable activities, reflection prompts, and land acknowledgement lessons.
🧡 Explore the Orange Shirt Day activity bundles
2. Land Acknowledgement Activity for Students
Best for: All grades
Help students learn how to acknowledge the land they live and learn on with this thoughtful writing activity. It includes templates and guidance for different grade levels.
🌍 View Land Acknowledgement Activity
3. Turtle Island Storytelling & Lesson
Best for: Grades 2–6
Teach the creation story of Turtle Island using story sequencing, art, and writing. This activity includes a beautiful printable turtle craft and connects to land-based learning.
👉 Explore the Turtle Island resource
4. Seven Sacred Teachings (Grandfather Teachings)
Best for: All grades
The Seven Sacred Teachings — including values like Respect, Courage, Love, and Wisdom — are important teachings shared by many Indigenous communities. These resources bring those values into the classroom in a way that supports character education, reflection, and a respectful learning environment at any grade level.
👉 Explore all Seven Sacred Teachings resources
5. Indigenous Heroes Research Activity
Best for: Grades 3–12
This engaging research project invites students to explore and celebrate notable Indigenous heroes from across Canada — including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit changemakers. Perfect for Indigenous Peoples Day or anytime during the school year, this resource includes a lesson plan, student instructions, a hero list, guided research questions, and a project template to help students reflect on the contributions of Indigenous leaders and role models.
👉 Browse the Indigenous Heroes pack
6. Terry Fox Through an Indigenous Lens
Best for: Grades 2–7
Teach about perseverance and disability while honouring Terry Fox’s Métis heritage. This resource blends history and empathy with writing, discussion, and art-based activities.
👉 View the Terry Fox resource
7. Indigenous Art Activities Bundle
Best for: all grades!
Celebrate Indigenous culture through hands-on art! This bundle introduces students to three unique Indigenous art forms — Métis Dot Art, First Nations-inspired painting, and Inuit winter scenes. Students learn about artists like Roy Vickers and Pudlo Pudlat while exploring the cultural significance behind each style. Perfect for Indigenous Peoples Day, Orange Shirt Day, or any time you want to bring Indigenous voices into your art room.
👉 Indigenous Art bundle
8. Indigenous Veterans Day & Remembrance Day Resources
Best for: All grades
Honour Indigenous Veterans on November 8 with a meaningful poppy craft and biographies of 10 Indigenous heroes. Includes reflection questions, writing prompts, and bulletin board pieces. Also available: a Primary Poppy Activity and a Métis Dot Art Wreath for younger learners or art-based lessons.
👉 Explore all Indigenous Veterans Day resources
9. Indigenous Sacred Medicines Resource
Best for: Grades 3+
Explore the cultural significance and life cycle of the Indigenous Sacred Medicines — cedar, sage, tobacco, and sweetgrass. This resource includes a lesson, beautiful posters, and a booklet activity, making it ideal for outdoor learning or Indigenous art projects.
👉 View the Indigenous Sacred Medicines Resource
10. Understanding the Indian Act: Lesson and Activities
Best for: Grades 4+
Help students grasp the history and ongoing impacts of Canada’s Indian Act with this comprehensive 6-page lesson and 5 engaging activities. Perfect for deepening understanding of Indigenous experiences and supporting reconciliation education.
👉 View the Indian Act Lesson & Activities
Bringing Indigenous Education Into the Classroom
These Indigenous education resources for elementary teachers are designed to support learning that is respectful, authentic, and accessible. You don’t have to do it all at once — choose one new resource to try this season and build from there. Every small step helps create a more inclusive and truthful learning environment for your students.
When you use materials created by Indigenous educators, you’re helping to centre Indigenous voices and perspectives in the classroom — fostering understanding, respect, and reconciliation in a meaningful way.
Starting this journey may feel challenging, but you’re not alone. Together, we can support students in learning about Indigenous histories, cultures, and contributions with care and confidence.
👉 Browse my full collection of Indigenous classroom resources on TPT
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