Hard Histories: Approaching Difficult Topics in Canadian History

Museums, educators, researchers, and heritage organizations are increasingly seeking ways to address difficult and sensitive historical topics in a respectful and inclusive manner. Topics such as colonialism, genocide, and other forms of injustice and violence can be contested or traumatic and it can be challenging to know how to approach this content appropriately.

How can we initiate respectful and productive conversations about hard histories? How can we acknowledge past injustices against traditionally marginalized communities, while also recognizing the agency and dignity of all individuals involved? How can we empower audiences to confront the ongoing legacies that have resulted from these histories?

The Canada’s History Forum featured presentations from experts in a range of fields that explore best practices for dealing with difficult history in museum exhibitions, public programming, teaching, and research. This event aimed to provide attendees with the knowledge, resources, and confidence needed to approach sensitive historical content in a responsible and effective manner.

This event featured presentations from:

• James Miles
• David A. Robertson
• Anne Marguet
• Afua Cooper

RECOMMENDED READING & RESOURCES

Reading

ACS-Metropolis Institute. Reconciliation and Reckoning: Contesting Canada’s Past, Framing Its Future.

Canadian Museum of History. Tips for Teaching Difficult History.

Epstein, T. & Peck, C. L. (Eds.) (2018). Teaching and Learning Difficult Histories in International Contexts: A Critical Sociocultural Approach (264 pp.) Routledge.

Gibson, Lindsay & James Miles. “Commemoration controversies in classrooms: Canadian history teachers disagree about making ethical judgments”. The Conversation.

Gibson, Lindsay. “Questioning the Past.” Canada's History magazine, Feb-March 2019.

Miles, J. (2018). Teaching history for truth and reconciliation: The challenges and opportunities of narrativity, temporality, and identity. McGill Journal of Education, 53(2).

Miles, James (edited by Lindsay Gibson). Thinking about Historical Commemorations

Classroom Resources

Who do we remember...and how? Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids. 

Lesson Plan: Preparing for Difficult Conversations. Canada’s History. 

Thinking about Historical Commemorations. The Critical Thinking Consortium (TC2).

Websites

A Black People's History of Canada

ActiveHistory / HistoireEngagée

Contested Histories in Public Spaces

Facing History and Ourselves Canada

Landscapes of Injustice

Montreal Holocaust Museum (view a pdf reference guide for educators.)

Social Studies & History Education in the Anthropocene Network

Source Story

Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future