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Indigenous Cultural Awareness Course for Guards 2026

This course helps security workers in Canada serve First Nations, Inuit and Métis people with respect. It covers who Indigenous peoples are, the history that shapes trust today, rights and reconciliation, and how to handle ceremonies, sacred items and everyday contacts on the job.

  • Security course
  • Canada
  • 25 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 25 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Start with the lessonsIndigenous Cultural Awareness Course: Lessons: about 25 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Name the three Indigenous peoples recognized in the Constitution
  • Explain how residential schools and other harms affect trust today
  • Describe the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action that apply to businesses
  • Respond respectfully to smudging, ceremonies and sacred items
  • Avoid racial profiling and give fair, equal service
  • Refer people to Indigenous support lines

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    Which three groups does section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 name as the Aboriginal peoples of Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Indian (First Nations), Inuit and Métis peoples

    Section 35(2) names the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples. Today "First Nations" is the common term for the group the law calls "Indian".

  2. Question 2 of 25

    About how many people in Canada identified as Indigenous in the 2021 census?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. About 1.8 million

    The 2021 census counted 1,807,250 Indigenous people, which is 5.0% of the population of Canada.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    Between 2016 and 2021, how did the growth of the Indigenous population compare with the rest of Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It grew almost twice as fast

    The Indigenous population grew 9.4%, compared with 5.3% for the non-Indigenous population.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    What is the most respectful way to refer to a person's Indigenous identity?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Use the name of their nation or the term they use for themselves

    Indigenous peoples are many different nations and cultures. Using the name a person or community uses for themselves shows respect.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    About how many Indigenous children were taken from their families to attend residential schools?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. About 150,000

    Crown-Indigenous Relations Canada says some 150,000 Indigenous children were removed from their families and communities to attend these schools.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    When did the last federally run residential school close?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. In the late 1990s

    Most schools had closed by the mid-1970s, but the last federally run school closed in the late 1990s. Many survivors are alive today.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    How many Calls to Action did the Truth and Reconciliation Commission release in 2015?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 94

    The Truth and Reconciliation Commission released 94 Calls to Action with its final report in 2015.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    Call to Action 92 asks the corporate sector to do what for its managers and staff?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Educate them on Indigenous history and give skills-based training such as intercultural competency and anti-racism

    Call 92 asks businesses to educate staff on topics such as residential schools, treaties and the UN Declaration, and to train them in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights and anti-racism.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its final report in 2019. How many Calls for Justice did it include?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 231

    The final report, released on June 3, 2019, set out 231 Calls for Justice.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    When is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. September 30

    September 30 honours residential school survivors, their families and the children who never came home. Bill C-5 made it a federal statutory holiday in 2021.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    What message is linked with Orange Shirt Day?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. "Every Child Matters"

    Orange Shirt Day started in Williams Lake, B.C., in 2013. The orange shirt stands for the culture, freedom and self-esteem taken from children at residential schools.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    Why is National Indigenous Peoples Day held on June 21?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It is the summer solstice, which has special meaning for many Indigenous peoples

    June 21 is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The day has been marked since 1996.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    What did the federal United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, assented to on June 21, 2021, do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It set a framework for the federal government to put the UN Declaration into practice, including an action plan

    The Act affirms the Declaration as applying in Canadian law and requires the federal government to work with Indigenous peoples on an action plan and on making federal laws consistent with it.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    Which of these are the four sacred medicines used in many First Nations ceremonies?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass

    Tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass are the four sacred medicines. Sage, cedar and sweetgrass are most often used in a smudge.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    A staff member is smudging in a designated room at your site. What is the best response?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Respect the ceremony and follow the site's plan for smudging and fire safety

    Smudging is a spiritual practice that many workplaces accommodate. Sites with a smudging policy plan the space, signage and fire safety in advance.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    Under Ontario's Human Rights Code, an organization must accommodate Indigenous spiritual practices such as smudging up to what point?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Up to the point of undue hardship

    The City of Toronto policy explains that, under the Code, the duty to accommodate Indigenous spiritual beliefs and practices (based on creed) goes up to undue hardship.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    During a bag check you find an eagle feather wrapped in cloth. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Do not handle it; ask the owner to show it or move it themselves

    Feathers, pipes and medicine bundles can be sacred. Asking the owner to handle the item lets you do your check without disrespecting it.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    A store owner tells you to watch all Indigenous customers closely. According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, this is an example of what?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Racial profiling

    The OHRC gives this exact kind of instruction as an example of racial profiling. Watch behaviour, not identity.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    Why might some Indigenous people feel uneasy around uniformed security or police?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Because of past and present experiences with institutions, such as residential schools and unfair treatment

    Residential schools and other harms were carried out by institutions in authority. Knowing this helps you stay patient and build trust.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    You need to speak with an Elder who is attending an event at your site. What is a respectful approach?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Introduce yourself, speak calmly and allow time for them to answer

    Elders hold a respected role in many communities. A calm introduction and patience with pauses show respect.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    Which phone line offers 24/7 counselling and crisis support to Indigenous people across Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Hope for Wellness Help Line, 1-855-242-3310

    The Hope for Wellness Help Line (1-855-242-3310) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    A residential school survivor at your site is very upset. Besides calling 911 if there is danger, which line is set up for survivors and their families?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 1-866-925-4419

    The 24-hour line at 1-866-925-4419 gives crisis referral services to residential school survivors and their families.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    A group of Indigenous youth is waiting in a mall. Nothing is wrong. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Treat them the same as any other customers and act only on behaviour

    Acting on identity instead of behaviour is profiling. Treat everyone the same and respond only to what people actually do.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    Which statement about Indigenous cultures in Canada is true?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. There are many distinct nations, and over 70 Indigenous languages were reported in 2021

    First Nations, Inuit and Métis are distinct peoples, and Statistics Canada reported over 70 Indigenous languages in 2021.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    What does reconciliation mean for a security guard in day-to-day work?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Learning the history, treating Indigenous people with respect and dignity, and serving them fairly

    Call 92 asks businesses to train staff in history, human rights and anti-racism. For guards, this means fair, respectful service every day.

What to know before the test

  • The 2021 census counted 1,807,250 Indigenous people in Canada, or 5.0% of the population.
  • Some 150,000 Indigenous children were removed from their families to attend residential schools. The last federally run school closed in the late 1990s.
  • The Truth and Reconciliation Commission released 94 Calls to Action in 2015. Call 92 asks businesses to train staff in Indigenous history, human rights and anti-racism.
  • September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day.
  • The Hope for Wellness Help Line, 1-855-242-3310, offers 24/7 support to Indigenous people.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use the word "Aboriginal" or "Indigenous"?

"Aboriginal" is the term in the Constitution, but "Indigenous" is more common today. The best choice is the name a person or nation uses for themselves, such as Cree, Inuk or Métis.

Is smudging allowed in workplaces?

Many employers allow it as a spiritual practice and plan for it with a designated space and fire safety steps. Follow your site's policy and ask your supervisor if there is none.

Can I search a medicine bundle or other sacred item?

If a check is needed, do not handle the item yourself. Ask the owner to open, show or move it. Follow your site's search policy.

Why does this matter for security work?

Guards often deal with the public in authority roles. Knowing the history and avoiding stereotypes helps you build trust, prevent complaints and treat everyone fairly.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace the security licence training required in your province or territory.

Sources

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