People have been living in the country that we now call Canada for thousands of years.
For centuries before Europeans began to settle in North America, explorers who came here found thriving First Nations and Inuit societies with their own beliefs, ways of life and rich histories. It was these original inhabitants of this land who taught the early European visitors how to survive in this new and unfamiliar place.
When we look at a map of Canada today, we can see that many of the names of our provinces, territories and cities have Aboriginal origins. In fact, many people believe that the name "Canada" comes from the Huron word for "village", kanata. Toronto comes from the Mohawk word tkaronto, which means "where the trees stand in the water". Kamloops in British Columbia was known by the Shushwap as kahm-o-loops, the "meeting of waters". This proud tradition continues to this day. The name of Canada's newest territory, Nunavut, means "our land" in Inuktitut.
Today, over one million Aboriginal people continue to help make this country strong, building upon a long and proud history that began so many years ago.
(from the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada website.)
Examples of Contact, Cooperation and Conflict
Learn more at their kidstop interactive website.
For current social conditions, go to Historica Canada
Another good source is Explore the Communities
Check out a couple of Games (for smaller kids but still kind of fun, eg. build your own longhouse, design a tipi, etc.)
Learn more about First Nations peoples, their contributions and culture at
The Government of Canada's Aboriginal Portal is a useful source of interesting information as well.
To learn about Residential Schools, check out Project of Heart.
Check out the Canadian Geographic Time Machine!
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