This source describes in detail what the doctrine of discovery is, how it has shaped Canada's relationship with Indigenous Peoples (legally, politically, economically, and socially) and why it must be formally renounced in Canada in order to achieve reconciliation and decolonization. This is a useful source for teachers who may need some background knowledge about how the Canadian government and settlers more broadly tend to write, think, and talk about Canada as a place that was "discovered" by explorers or pioneers. For teachers beginning to introduce the concept of Treaties, a first step may be to internally reflect upon how we have, generally, historically been taught or are expected to teach Canada's history of settlement. This is an incredible resource for dismantling any preconceived notions of Canada as a "blank space" or terra nulius before European settlement, and a source that provides many justifications for overruling doctrine of discovery pedagogy with new paradigms.

The TRC's Honorary Witnesses discuss what truth and reconciliation means to them in this TRC mini-doc.