MRU Library Website: Indigenous Studies: Background Sources

Why You Want Background Sources

Don't know much about your topic? Not sure where to start your research?

Background or reference sources (encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc.) are an excellent way of getting background on your topic, finding key people, understanding key concepts and locating other readings.

Encyclopedias

Indigenous Foundations - UBC
This website is developed by students in the First Nations Studies Program at UBC. It's a good starting place for key topics relating to the histories, politics, and cultures of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada
Handbook of North American Indians (Smithsonian)
Print encyclopedia with several volumes. Focuses on an anthropological perspective, with different volumes looking at different geographical areas. For local First Nations, look at Volume 6 - Subarctic, or Volume 13 - Plains
Encyclopedia of North American Indians, Houghton Mifflin
A more sociological perspective, looking at contemporary Native American life, with many entries written by Indigenous contributors.
Encyclopedia of Myths: Native American Myths

The Annotated Indian Act
ISBN: 0459557858
This book is a good starting place for understanding the ways the Indian Act affected the lives of Status Indians in Canada

Atlas of Indian Nations
Maps, photos, art, and archival cartography focusing on Native American geographies. Local nations found in Chapter 4: Plains
Native Land Maps
Maps international Indigenous territories, languages, and trreaties.

Joel Blechinger

he/him/his

Contact:

Email: jblechinger@mtroyal.ca
Phone: 403.440.8624
Office: EL4423E

Indigenous Studies | Background Sources

Why You Want Background Sources

Encyclopedias