Course Highlights

  • Developed by Sault College in collaboration with Project Learning Tree Canada, an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative

  • No application process or pre-requisites. Simply register online and start learning on the same day!

  • Learn at your own pace using a computer, tablet or smartphone

  • Take up to 90 days to complete the course

  • Includes downloadable resources

  • Earn a certificate of achievement and digital badge upon successfully completing the course that can be shared on social media such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook; downloaded as a PDF; or even embedded in an email signature!

  • Discounted rate available for PLT Canada Green Jobs Youth, SFI members, Sault College NEOS students and graduates, and Ontario Registered Professional Foresters. Email elearning@saultcollege.ca to learn more.

Course Information

This is the first in a series of self-directed online courses developed on Indigenous Rights and Relationship-Building designed for forestry practitioners and youth who are exploring careers in the forestry, parks and conservation sectors. 

This 5-hour course was developed by Sault College in collaboration with Project Learning Tree Canada (an initiative of SFI).

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Upon successful completion of the course you will earn the following micro-credential: sample micro-credential

We also offer the following condensed versions of this course for individuals who are only looking for one of these topics:

  • Introduction to Indigenous Peoples in Canada: This 2-hour course is designed for those individuals who have little existing knowledge about Indigenous Peoples in Canada and/or who have limited direct interaction with Indigenous Peoples in their professional roles within the forestry sector.


  • Understanding and Upholding the Duty to Consult:  This 3-hour course is designed for individuals possessing moderate knowledge about Indigenous Peoples in Canada who are responsible for Indigenous community engagement, consultation, or implementation of 3rd party certification.

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome

    • Module 1: Respecting Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Within Sustainable Forest Management

    • Welcome from Project Learning Tree Canada

    • Module Information & Navigation Tips

    • Module Learning Objectives

    • A Little Bit About You
  • 2

    Indigenous Peoples in Canada

    • Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Learning Objective

    • Indigenous Peoples in Canada

    • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples

    • What is a Traditional Territory?

    • Traditional Territory and Treaties

    • Identifying Traditional Territories

    • Identifying First Nation Communities and Reserves

    • Identifying Métis Nation Homelands

    • What is a Treaty?

    • Finding Treaties

    • Treaties Terminology

    • Indigenous Territories and Forested Areas

    • Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Test Your Learning

  • 3

    Aboriginal and Treaty Rights in Canada

    • Aboriginal and Treaty Rights in Canada: Learning Objective

    • Constitution Act, 1982

    • Section 35 Rights: What it Says and Where it Came From

    • Section 35: Understanding Aboriginal and Treaty Rights

    • Asserted and Established Rights

    • Establishing Aboriginal Rights

    • Defending Aboriginal Rights Assertions

    • Oral Evidence

    • Treaty Rights

    • Title Rights

    • Establishing Aboriginal Title

    • Aboriginal and Treaty Rights in Canada: Test Your Learning

  • 4

    Consultation and Accommodation

    • Consultation and Accommodation: Learning Objectives

    • Duty to Consult and Accommodate: The Basics

    • Duty to Consult and Accommodate: Responsibilities

    • Consultation

    • How to Identify Communities for the Purposes of Duty to Consult

    • How to Find Consultation Protocols for a Community/Nation

    • Navigating Evolving Rights Assertions

    • The Duty to Accommodate

    • Avoiding and Mitigating Rights Infringements

    • Potential Accommodation Measures

    • United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

    • Consultation and Accommodation: Test Your Learning

  • 5

    Crafting a Territorial Acknowledgement

    • Territorial Acknowledgments: Learning Objective

    • Why are Territorial Acknowledgements Important?

    • What is a Territorial Acknowledgment?

    • Crafting a Territorial Acknowledgment

    • Examples of Territorial Acknowledgments

    • Territorial Acknowledgments: Test Your Learning
  • 6

    Summary and Resources

    • Module Summary

    • Helpful Resources List

    • Consultation Protocols and Regulations by Province/Territory

    • Aboriginal Consultation and Accommodation: Updated Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult

    • References
  • 7

    Assessment of Knowledge and Skills

    • Testing Your Knowledge

    • Final Quiz
  • 8

    Before You Go

    • You're Almost Done

    • Acknowledgments

    • Quick Course Evaluation -- We want to Hear from You!