Reflecting the past. Facing the present.
Defining Moments Canada / Moments Déterminants Canada is a Canadian heritage organization dedicated to commemorating “definitional moments” in our shared histories through the stories that have made them significant. Read our mission statement and meet the team.
Current & Upcoming Projects
Upcoming Project:
Proud to Be
Learn about the histories of 2SLGBTQ+ people and communities across Canada in the 1960s and 1970s.
Upcoming Project:
Realizing the Pledge
Learn about Canada’s commitment to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Current Project:
In Defence of Hopes Profound
A commemoration of Canada’s participation in the Korean War (1950-1953) as told through the individual lived experiences of diverse and often marginalized Canadian veterans.
Current Project:
All for 9 and 9 for All
Learn about the 1872 Nine Hour Movement and induction of the Trade Unions Act as the start to a long history of worker activism for labour reform in Canada.
Current Project:
Bryce@100
Explore the work of Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce and his impact in public health, Indigenous welfare, and the legacy of the Canadian Indigenous reserve and residential school systems.
Resources for Teachers & Classrooms
“Defining Moments” are those moments of shared national importance to Canadians – teachers develop these in their classes every day. Such “moments” afford the Canadian classroom teacher a remarkably rich opportunity to inspire students to become “active citizens” completing digital tasks that commemorate a defining moment in our shared Canadian heritage.
Curatorial Thinking
Can curatorial thinking make sense of information, create a meaningful story, and build a strong sense of social responsibility? See our new tools and resources for hybrid classrooms that support students to think curatorially.
Storymapping in the Classroom
Learn how to incorporate storymapping into your classroom with Esri Canada.
Our Partners
Defining Moments Canada is proud to collaborate with many partners across Canada and around the world. Our partners bring enormous value to our projects, with a wealth of knowledge, tools, and research. Explore their contributions below, or learn more about our partners.
Past Projects
Herzberg50
Herzberg50 explores the remarkable life story of Dr. Gerhard Herzberg, and 2021 marks the 50th Anniversary of Herzberg’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Insulin100
Insulin100: Inspiration and Innovation tells the story of the discovery and development of insulin, and the diverse impacts it had on individuals and communities across the country. How will you tell the story of this defining Canadian moment in your classroom?
VEDay75
Through the stories of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and resistance fighters, VEDay75 intends to share ‘Canada’s Finest Hour’ with a 21st century audience.
Juno Stories
On June 6th 1944, known as D-Day, 14,000 Canadians landed on Juno Beach in Normandy as part of one of the largest military operations in history. A further 90,000 Canadians would eventually take part in the ensuing Battle of Normandy. How do we remember their sacrifices and their service?
1918 Influenza Pandemic
One hundred years ago, the Spanish flu pandemic killed as many as 100 million people worldwide. The impact on Canada was catastrophic. Delve deeper into this fascinating chapter in Canadian history with our extensive interdisciplinary resources.
