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Hey #NativeTwitter and #Vancouver folks, what are your favourite online resources for learning about the Indigenous Nations of this region? I'm thinking Greater #yvr/the whole metropolitan area. I'll highlight some awesome sites I know of in this thread - please share others!
I live most directly on Tsleil-Waututh territory, so I’ll start with that Nation. I am really grateful for and impressed with their work to halt the TMX expansion so I definitely recommend their Assessment of the pipeline expansion project. https://twnsacredtrust.ca/assessment-report-download/
I also want to make sure you all know about the work of @karenrosethomas, a Tsleil-Waututh archaeologist. If local archaeology from Indigenous perspectives is your thing, give this a listen: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/heritagevoices/33.
If you don’t already know about @KwiAwtStelmexw, you should definitely check out this Sḵwx̱wú7mesh education organization. They are pioneering language revitalization among other things, and have great resources on their blog. https://www.kwiawtstelmexw.com/language_resources/greetings-in-skwxwu7mesh/
Another Sḵwx̱wú7mesh source to mention is the Squamish Atlas, created by @KwiAwtStelmexw and curated by @khelsilem and other collaborators. This is such important work that definitely gives a better perspective on this whole region! http://squamishatlas.com/
On a similar note, the Musqueam Place Names Map is an amazing resource. Like the Squamish Atlas it encourages us to rethink settler ways of framing place. It also provides an overall narrative to learning place names. https://www.musqueam.bc.ca/our-story/musqueam-territory/place-names-map/
Kevin Lee Burton’s beautiful short film Writing the Land depicts Musqueam Elder Larry Grant’s views on Vancouver. Watch it on @thenfb! https://www.nfb.ca/film/writing_land/
The Burnaby Village Museum worked with Kwantlen, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Tsleil-Waututh, and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Nations to make the “Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide.” It’s really useful and thoughtfully-put together resource: http://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/assets/Documents/Teachers~Guides/Indigenous%20History%20in%20Burnaby%20Resouce%20Guide.pdf
If you like documentaries, be sure to check out Eunee Cha’s film on Rhonda Larrabee’s quest to revitalize and gain recognition for her Qayqayt community, the only First Nation in Canada to not have a reserve: https://www.nfb.ca/film/tribe-of-one/
Tsawwassen First Nation has a great historical timeline on their website. If, like me (ahem, history nerd!) you like a good timeline, this is the resource for you!: http://tsawwassenfirstnation.com/about-tfn/our-nation/timeline-of-history/
I also definitely recommend Digital Sq’éwlets, a great site showcasing oral histories (origins and personal histories, sxwōxwiyám and sqwélqwel respectively) of this Stó:lō community. Lots of great visuals and audio here: http://digitalsqewlets.ca/index-eng.php
I have to wrap up here for the night but please add others you know of/use/love to this list! My sincere thanks and gratitude to the Nations and individuals named here for the work they do to help us better understand the histories and issues on these territories.
