Veterans Affairs Canada supports organizations in creating learning resources. Here are some projects we have helped fund through the Commemorative Partnership Program.
Explore them to find creative learning resources for your classroom.
Remembrance contests for students
The Legion National Foundation, with the support of The Royal Canadian Legion and schools across the country, invite Canadian youth and children to honour Canada’s Veterans and foster the tradition of Remembrance through visual art, writing, and video.
In Service of Canada : The Canadian Armed Forces around the world since 1949
In Service of Canada brings together technology, timelines, videos and teacher resources to help students explore the diverse roles of the Canadian Armed Forces in shaping global peace, security and defence since 1949. Modules are organized by conflict and include teacher and student resources with options for one-, three- or five-day rollouts.
Legacy Voice – No. 2 Construction Battalion
This website by Black Canadian Veterans Stories features stories, articles, photos and videos about members of No. 2 Construction Battalion—the largest Black military unit in Canadian history. Learn about these remarkable men who refused to let racism prevent them from serving their country. Includes lesson plans for students of all ages.
The Black Hum
Knockabout Media’s podcast tells stories of the history and legacy of Canada’s first all-Black battalion and their service in the face of rejection and racial discrimination. Website is bilingual but podcast recordings are English only, with French transcripts available.
From the West Indies to the First World War
The Toronto Ward Museum presents stories of 10 Black men who joined No. 2 Construction Battalion from the Caribbean Islands. Through stories and photographs, students will learn about their early lives, enlistment, military service and post-service experience.
Project Athena
Project Athena is an interactive web map telling the stories of Veterans who served in Canada’s mission in Afghanistan (2001-2014). It combines maps, geotagged photographs and personal accounts to help students explore Canada’s longest military engagement. Complex history is made accessible and engaging as users explore events by date, location and theme.
Project Recuperation
This interactive web resource explores the Canadian Armed Forces’ largest domestic deployment: its response to the 1998 Ice Storm in Eastern Canada. Students can follow maps, photographs and timelines showing how more than 15,000 personnel worked to restore power, clear debris and assist communities. Designed for classroom use, the project highlights disaster response, teamwork and the military’s role in supporting Canadians at home.
Warrior Spirit
Explore the digital exhibition Warrior Spirit for a deep dive into the military history of Japanese Canadians who served in Canada’s armed forces. Using unique artefacts, historical facts and Veteran stories, students can unpack the complexities, struggles and perseverance of Nikkei (persons of Japanese ancestry) in the First World War, Second World War, and Korean War.
Flight Firsts
The RCAF Foundation’s Flight Firsts digital exhibition showcases trailblazing Canadian aviators. These Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Veterans broke barriers to serve their country--paving the way for Canadians of all genders, races and sexual orientation to participate fully in Canada’s military.
Wings of Honour
Watch this feature-length documentary about the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Its backdrop combines rarely seen archival reels and dramatic contemporary footage. The film showcases compelling stories from past and present RCAF members from across Canada.
Pathway to the stars
Listen to the RCAF Foundation’s podcast series, for inspiring stories from Canadian aviation history, featuring notable missions and the experiences of underrepresented groups. Tune in to explore the heroes and milestones that shaped the aviation world.
Bravery in Arms
Canadian military history brought back to life. Veteran and war artist Roger Chabot created and produced this video documentary series. D-Day Dodgers of Canada tells the story of the Italian Campaign. It highlights the courage and sacrifice of the brave Canadians who served there during the Second World War. Episodes are 20-30 minutes.
Black Canadian Veterans
Explore the stories of Black Canadian Veterans. You will find written profiles, photographs, historical articles, interviews and videos. For more material, you can also visit their channel on Instagram, YouTube or Facebook.
Stories of Canadian peacekeepers
Learn about Canadian peacekeepers and discover potential Veteran speakers for your classroom through the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association’s PK75 anthology. Explore the PK75 website to find overviews of some Canadian peacekeeping roles and missions, and stories and photos of more than 100 Veterans. You can download the anthology in PDF format.
The Road to Liberation
This interactive map built by Project ‘44 follows Canadians from D-Day to liberation during the Second World War. Students can also read excerpts from war diaries and view rare historical photos. Other projects include the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, the Battle of Hong Kong, the Dieppe Raid and the Italian Campaign.
Gino: A child of war
Students will learn about the impact of war on soldiers and civilians through this 12 minute video about Gino. In the Second World War, Canadian soldiers looked after this orphan boy. You can also read a written account by one of the soldiers who took care of Gino, available in PDF format.
Beyond the ridge
This podcast series by the Vimy Foundation lets you explore the lasting legacy of the First World War and how it continues to shape the Canadian experience today. Listen to all four seasons.
In their own voices
An online oral history exhibition about veterans’ post-war and post-service lives. It consists of more than 200 interviews. Visit the Canadian War Museum site to learn more.
The “Vimy inspires tomorrow” leadership program
History education meets leadership education in this program for youth aged 13-17. Youth will learn lessons from historical leadership and apply them as young leaders. Each activity takes 45 to 90 minutes.
The Vimy digital pilgrimage
This website contains testimonies from the First World War through to Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan. Through advanced animations, you will learn all about the Vimy Memorial and the deep meaning of its powerful design. You will also learn about the lasting legacy of those who have served Canada in uniform. View audio, video and written content as a class or let students explore it on their own.
The Vimy Expedition
This mobile app (also available in desktop for users in Canada) brings the rich historical context of the Vimy Memorial to life. You can explore history through images and the stories about the soldiers, nurses and artists who were there.
Available through the iOS App store or Apps on Google Play.
Visit Canadian memorials
This mobile app lets you visit Canadian memorials and cemeteries around the world through your phone. With the Memory Anchor Explorer you can visit important commemorative sites and view enhanced content, including photos and biographies of those who served.
Available through the iOS App store or on Apps on Google Play.
Vimy: A living memorial
This app brings history to life through geo-located stories. It includes a feature to scan or search the names on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. You can also explore the biographies and photos of the soldiers commemorated there.