Tracking Indigenous Roots
Coffee Chat

Photo Courtesy of Chris Albrecht

TRACKING INDIGENOUS ROOTS
Presented by the Aboriginal Genealogy Association
Facilitator - Sharon Syrette

“The way of knowledge is like our old way of hunting. You begin with a mere trail – a footprint.
If you follow that faithfully, it may lead you to a clearer trail – a track – a road.
Later on there will be many tracks, crossing and diverging one from the other.
Then you must be careful, for success lies in the choice of the right road.”
– Many Lightenings Eastman, SANTEE SIOUX

Now meeting every second month for the first half of 2025.
January 30th, March 27th, May 29th - on the last Thursday of the month
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm (via Zoom)

Join us to network and exchange information about indigenous ancestors, where and how to research. Focus each meeting will be a collaborative sharing, what you know, and what you are looking for.

*Via Zoom - To sign up, please email us at coffeechat@bcgs.ca at least 24 hours ahead of time . Please include your BCGS membership number or the name of your Affiliate Society.

Once you have attended a Tracking Indigenous Roots Coffee Chat, you will receive an invitation automatically and don’t need to sign up again.

To unsubscribe from this Chat, please email coffeechat@bcgs.ca

Announcements
& News

Please refer to the BCGS Calendar of Events to see when the next coffee chat is scheduled.

Relevant Books in the BCGS Library

Below is a sampling of books held in the BCGS library that focus on Indigenous, Metis & Inuit Genealogical Research. Browse our Library Catalogue to see what other resources we have. There are currently 150 listings. Reference Books must remain in the library but all others can be borrowed by BCGS members for two weeks.

  1. Invisible Generations, Living Between Indigenous and White in the Fraser Valley (2019)
    BARMAN, Jean
    Call No. 970.004 BAR

  2. Duck Lake Cemetery with Genealogies and Local History (2016)
    HAYES, Robert M.; CAMPBELL, Susan D.
    Call No. 970.004 KDGS C

  3. Northwest Half-Breed Scrip - 1885 (1997)
    MORIN, Gail
    Call No. 970.004 MOR

  4. Where Happiness Dwells: A history of the Dane-Zaa First Nations (2013)
    RIDINGTON, Robin; RIDINGTON, Jillian in collaboration with elders of the Dane-Zaa First Nations
    Call No. 970.004 RID

  5. The Long Exile - A true story of deception and survival in the Canadian Arctic (2007)
    MCGRATH, Melanie
    Call No. 970.004 MCG

  6. Manitoba Scrip (1996)
    MORIN, Gail
    Call No. 971.27 MOR

  7. Red River Settlement (Manitoba) Census 1827-1835, 1838, 1840 & 1843 (2016)
    MORIN, Gail
    Call No. 971.27 MOR

Handouts & Research Aids

Just as the bear left its tracks in the mud (pictured above), our ancestors left a trail for us to follow as we research our roots.

The handouts, below, contain many resources to assist us in our quest. They have been developed and provided by Sharon Syrette of the Aboriginal Genealogy Association.

Indian Status in Canada - Chart & Info

BC History & Background Resources

Canadian Census Records

Canadian Provincial Archives Summary

Guide to Researching Family History at Surrey Libraries, Cloverdale Branch: Indigenous/Metis

Metis Genealogy Resources

Start Your Family Tree - a general research guide developed by the Aboriginal Genealogy Association.

What’s New - February 2024

Indigenous Genealogy Research at Library and Archives Canada

Memorial Pamphlets & More - July 2024

Indigenous News & Stories - November 2024


For some additional books and resources that may help with your research or serve to provide some historical background, click the buttons below.