Resistance and Reconciliation Walking Tour

About the Tour

Explore the histories, experiences, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous Peoples in Toronto. Through visits to public art installations, learn about Indigenous life before colonization, the impacts of the Indian Act and residential schools, and the legacy of Indigenous activism. The tour also highlights the ways Indigenous communities are creating space and visibility in the modern city. By focusing on local Indigenous artists and storytellers, this tour demonstrates how art can be a powerful tool for both resistance and reconciliation. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their own relationships to the land, history, and community.

This tour was developed and will be led by Mike Buckland. Born in Burlington and living in Toronto for the past decade, Mike is of mixed heritage—Mi’kmaq, English, and Irish—and remains deeply connected to his community of Membertou First Nation in Unama’ki (Cape Breton). With over 15 years of experience as an educator, Mike is passionate about making history engaging and accessible, sharing stories that bring the past to life. He currently works as an Instructor at the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres. Previously, Mike supported some of the most barriered indigenous community members in finding employment, education, and training at Miziwe Biik. Before that, he worked as a Historical Blacksmith and Leatherworker at The Village at Black Creek. After Black Creek, he continued to develop his leatherworking skills, making medicine pouches, rattles, and drums. An avid outdoorsman, Mike finds inspiration in hunting, fishing, canoeing, and camping—activities that deepen his connection to nature and tradition. Whether exploring the wilderness or leading a game of Dungeons & Dragons, he believes in the power of storytelling to educate, inspire, and bring people together.

Further Information

This tour runs rain or shine and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and consider bringing sunscreen and water to make your tour as enjoyable as possible.

This tour is approximately 1.6 kilometers in distance and takes place predominantly on paved city sidewalks and streets.

If you have any questions prior to the tour, please contact us at
[email protected]. If you have any issues finding the group on the day of the tour, you can reach staff on-site at (647) 542-3450.

This tour uses individual audio headsets. All registered participants will be provided with an individual headset that will allow you to hear the live tour guide throughout the tour.

If you share our passion for accessible and inclusive heritage programming, we invite you to make a donation while on the tour to help fund one of our next walks. Staff can accept donations via cash, credit, or debit card onsite, and gifts of $20+ will receive a charitable tax receipt.