March 25th, 2020

March 2020: Connecting online during physical distancing

Thank you to all the frontline workers and every community member doing their part to take care of one another during the challenges we are facing with COVID-19. The community efforts during this time have been heart-warming amid the concern and uncertainty we are all feeling.

Physical (social) distancing and isolation affect everyone’s mental health and emotional well-being in different ways. It’s important to check-in with yourself and others during this time and reach-out for additional support when needed.

Education plays a key role in the health and safety of our communities; nonetheless, the continuous cycle of COVID-19 updates can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are many organizations and individuals utilizing the power of social media to share online content that adds some light to the time indoors.  

We’ve compiled a list of resources for people to access from home, inspired by ImagineNATIVE.

This list is only a snapshot of some of the recommendations we’ve come across, please share a few of your own!

Participate in live streamed classes and events

Artists putting talents online to counter ‘this time of fear’ (APTN National News, March 19, 2020)

Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE) Online Programming 

Indigenous educators volunteer to teach short K-8 lessons online amid school closures

I·SPARC FitNation Channel—Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere! Take a movement break with I·SPARC.

‘Wellness Kitchen’ classes with Mission Friendship Centre Society Community Health Worker, Danya: Live videos every Wednesday at 2PM

Yale’s most popular class ever is available free online – and the topic is how to be happier in your daily life

Explore Indigenous film and media

Indigenous Cinema, National Film Board of Canada

If Not Us Then Who?: Short documentary stories from Indigenous communities in Indonesia, South America, and parts of Africa.

Mino Bimaadiziwin: Short film by Shane McSauby

nîpawistomâsowin: We Will Stand Up – Tasha Hubbard

One Day in the Life of Noah Piugattuk – Zacharias Kunuk

The Power Was With Us: Idle No More: Two-part docuseries, stream on APTN Lumi (5-day free trial)

Whale Rider: 15th Anniversary Edition

Learn from Indigenous motivational speakers

Anthony Johnson and Dr. James Makokis – The Amazing Race Canada S7

Dr. James Makokis – Two-Spirit Rites of Passage

Dr. Evan Adams – What’s Your Story

Grace Dove – WE Day Vancouver

Dr. Nel Wieman and Dr. Martin Guhn – Child-Wellbeing Through an Indigenous Lens

Nikki Fraser

Waneek Horn-Miller – Keynote address at Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness 2018

Appreciate Indigenous musicians and entertainers

Brandon Peters

Corey Allison Music

Dani and Lizzy

DJ O Show

DoZy & NWK

Kiva Morgan-Hall

RedPath Talent

The Melawmen Collective

Read work by Indigenous authors

2020 New Releases by Indigenous Authors (Raven Reads, 2020)

Peace and Good Order – Harold Johnson

Seven Fallen Feathers – Tanya Talaga

Trickster Drift – Eden Robinson

Starlight – Richard Wagamese

The Cheyenne Story: An Interpretation of Courage – Gerry Robinson

The Marrow Thieves – Cherie Dimaline

Subscribe to Indigenous podcasts

Ahkameyimok – National Chief Perry Bellegarde

All My Relations – Matika Wilbur, Adrienne Keene

MEDIA INDIGENA – Rick Harp, Candis Callison, Brock Pitawanakwat, Kim TallBear, Kenneth T. Williams

Red Man Laughing – Ryan McMahon

Teachings in The Air – Elder Gerry Oldman

The Secret Life of Canada – CBC Podcasts with Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson

What’s Up At Wachiay? – Rob Crowston (Wachiay Friendship Centre Society)

Watch live streamed musical performances 

Covid-19: Free online concerts by world-famous classical music venues (TheStar, March 17, 2020)

Music in the time of COVID-19: live performances you can stream from home (CBC, March 17, 2020)

Virtually tour museums and galleries

Google Arts & Culture lets you virtually tour museums and galleries around the world, similar to the Google Maps Street View feature!

Royal BC Museum Webinars: Streamed live on Zoom and the museum’s Facebook page. Check the event calendar for upcoming webinars!

  • RBCM@Home – designed for youth and adults
  • RBCM@Home (Kids) – like an online museum playdate
  • RBCM@Outside – a themed virtual fieldtrip to local destinations that are rich inhistory