Breaking with the dated, colonial pedagogy and perspectives embedded in most Canadian history books, this book engages with Indigenous perspectives and worldviews to present an Indigenous account of the complex relationship Indigenous peoples have with Canada — now and in the past.

Readers will re-learn Canadian history as contemporary and past relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada are examined. Chapters on the history of the fur trade, political systems and legal issues, activism and the environment help Canadians gain a better understanding of their past and present.

This book is made up of the print course materials accompanying the popular Indigenous Canada course created and made available in 2015 by the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. The course was developed by incorporating the input of authors, artists, elders and knowledge-keepers across Canada, and presents an account of events up to 2015.

The text is accompanied by works of art by First Nations artists Leah Dorion and Brenda Morency, along with many historical photos drawn from archives across Canada.

This course material is also available for free download from the Faculty of Native Studies course website, and the course itself is available in the form of video lectures at no cost online. Course enrolment is continuing, and exceeds 450,000.

Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta's profile page

Established in 1988, the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta “dedicates itself to education both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students on the complexity of Indigenous-Canada relations and the validity and values of Indigenous knowledges.” It operates autonomously within the University of Alberta.

It gives special priority to online learning. Its strategic plan calls for expanding blended and online learning options and “working with our partners and other Indigenous educational institutions to increase course opportunities for students." Public understanding of Indigenous peoples is a key objective. “In the era of reconciliation, the Faculty of Native Studies embraces its duty to educate the Canadian public on Indigenous issues. Building on our free online course, “Indigenous | Canada,” we will collaborate with units and programs across the university to develop new programming that supports the mission of the Faculty.” The course was launched in 2015, and since then well over 400,000 people have enrolled.

Watch for a revised and updated edition of the Indigenous | Canada course and course materials, planned to be available in the mid-2020s.