Where can I learn more about Alberta's Indigenous peoples?

The culture, history, and contemporary life of Alberta's Indigenous peoples are an integral part of Canadian identity. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of these communities' heritage, there are a number of resources available, ranging from educational programs and museums to online platforms and local initiatives. This article highlights some of the most important sources of information for learning about the language, art, traditions, and contemporary issues of Alberta's First Nations.

1. Museums and Cultural Centers

Alberta Museum (Edmonton) Lectures, permanent and temporary exhibitions focusing on the cultural heritage of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Special exhibitions on Alberta anthropology and archaeology. Website: museum.alberta.ca

Royal Alberta Museum (Edmonton) The largest museum in the province with extensive natural and cultural history departments. A separate gallery is dedicated to artifacts of the surrounding peoples, innovative multimedia presentations, and voice narrations by elders.

Website: royalalbertamuseum.ca

First Nations Cultural Society (Calgary) A cultural and craft center for the Siksikaitsitapi peoples, with weaving and beadwork workshops, dance performances, and lectures on traditional ecology.

Website: fncsca.com

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Center (near Fort MacLeod) A UNESCO site dedicated to the heritage of the Pezuna (Pezunye) peoples and their hunting culture. Multimedia installations, reconstructions, guided walks. Website: head-smashed-in.com

2. Educational programs and courses

University of Alberta – Faculty of Native Studies Bachelor's and master's degrees in Indigenous Studies and Cultural Heritage. Courses on the history of Treaty 6, Indigenous politics, language programs (Cherokee, Dakota, Nihave).

Website: ualberta.ca/native-studies

Mount Royal University – Indigenous Pathways Program Certificate program in cultural literacy, including lectures by elders and field research on the Stoney Nakoda and Blood reservations. Master classes in traditional crafts.

Website: mtroyal.ca/indigenous

Olds College – Aboriginal Resource Management Certificate Practical program in natural resource management, land management, and cultural landscapes on reservations.

Website: oldscollege.ca/programs

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity – Indigenous Arts and Leadership Workshops Temporary intensive program sessions in visual arts, contemporary dance, and leadership led by Indigenous artists and community leaders. Website: banffcentre.ca

3. Libraries and online resources

Discover Indigenous Alberta Digital Archive A rich digital archive of photographs, oral histories, and cartography of the traditional territories of Treaty 6, 7, and 8. URL: discoverindigenousalberta.ca

Pe Sakastew Indigenous Digital Knowledge Resource A repository of Cree and Nakoda language, songs, and legends with downloadable audio and video materials. URL: pesakastew.ca

Alberta Native News (ANNews) An online publication in English and Surzhyk with news, analysis, and interviews with leaders of Indigenous communities. URL: annews.com

Transition Alberta’s Indigenous Awareness Toolkit Free teaching resources for teachers and community leaders on the basics of understanding the Treaty, cultural characteristics, and historical chronology.

URL: transitionalberta.ca/toolkits

4. Community and volunteer initiatives

Indigenous Tourism Alberta An association of tour operators offering reservation tours, culinary workshops, and bird watching in traditional landscapes. Volunteer and internship opportunities. Website: indigenoustourismalberta.ca

Stony Plain Treaty Days Annual festival in Stony Plain featuring powwows, a craft fair, and historical reenactments. Volunteers are invited to help with organization and translation.

Website: stonyplaintreatydays.ca

Métis Nation of Alberta – Community Engagement Programs for the preservation of Métis culture: youth camps, traditional crafts and cooking classes, memorial projects.

Website: mnalberta.ca

Friends of Elk Island National Park Volunteer-led tours and educational programs interpreting the natural and cultural heritage of the Cree and Blackfoot tribes who live in these areas. Website: friendsofelkisland.ca

5. Books and academic publications

  • “Blackfoot Religion and Culture” (David Laird) — an in-depth analysis of the spiritual practices, beliefs, and rituals of the Blackfoot tribe.

  • The Métis and the Medicine Line: Creating a Border and Dividing a People (Nicole St-Onge and Jennifer S. H. Brown) — the history of the Métis of Alberta in the context of the US–Canada border.

  • Cree: Language of the Plains (Arok Wolvengrey) — a language grammar, dictionary, and stories from native speakers that allow you to delve deeper into the Cree language.

  • Fools and Heroes: Ottawa First Nations People and Their Culture (Clayton Rich) — a collection of stories about cultural adaptation and contemporary challenges.

6. Educational events and conferences

Alberta Indigenous Knowledge Network (AIKN) Conference An annual forum for researchers, elders, and young leaders with workshops on knowledge transfer and innovative approaches to language and cultural preservation.

Circle of Honour Symposium (University of Calgary) An event dedicated to intercultural dialogue between students from indigenous communities and the academic community.

Buffalo Nations Museum Lecture Series (Near St. Albert) Lectures by elders and scholars from various tribes on anthropology, the history of the Treaties, and contemporary issues affecting Indigenous peoples.

7. Social media and multimedia platforms

  • Instagram/TikTok: @IndigenousAlbertaStories — short videos about traditions, contemporary artists, and community leaders.

  • YouTube: “Voices of Alberta First Nations” — a series of documentaries and interviews created by the Piikani and Siksika communities.

  • Facebook: Alberta Native Friendship Centres — event announcements, volunteer opportunities, and cultural education materials.

These resources will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of Alberta's Indigenous peoples, from their origins in the Great Plains environment to contemporary cultural practices and important educational initiatives. Active participation in programs, visiting museums, and talking with elders will allow you to not only learn facts, but also experience the living heritage of Alberta's first communities.