Milestones and Futures: Celebrating Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future

Let’s celebrate how far we’ve come—and imagine where we can go next!

After years of groundbreaking research, collaboration, and conversations about the future of history education, it’s time to come together to celebrate our achievements, share what we’ve learned, and explore the possibilities ahead.

On November 13–15, 2026, the Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future research partnership will gather at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Québec, for Milestones and Futures: Celebrating Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future. Together, we’ll reflect on the discoveries, relationships, and accomplishments that have shaped our partnership—and look ahead to how we can continue transforming history education in Canada and beyond.

Bringing together researchers, educators, Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, graduate students, and partner organizations from across Canada and internationally, this culminating event will showcase the partnership’s research, foster meaningful dialogue, and chart future directions for teaching and learning history.

The event begins on Friday, November 13, with Teaching History in New Ways, a professional development morning for K–12 teachers focused on historical thinking and the Canadian Museum of History’s collections and educational resources. In the afternoon, an Indigenous Knowledges and History Education Dialogue Session will reunite Elders and Knowledge Holders who contributed to THFCF’s Dialogue Sessions focused on Indigenous Knowledges and History Education. Open to all conference participants, this session will invite reflection and feedback on a forthcoming bilingual resource offering guidance for teaching history informed by Indigenous Knowledge Systems.

On November 14–15, conference presentations and discussions will highlight key findings and contributions from Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future three research clusters: Curriculum & Resources, Teaching & Learning, and Teacher Education. The gathering will culminate in a forward-looking conversation that brings together insights from the partnership’s three national dialogue initiatives—historical thinking, civic engagement, and Indigenous Knowledges—to identify points of convergence and explore what’s next for history education research and practice.

A celebratory gala dinner on November 15 will mark the achievements of this ambitious national partnership and the relationships that have made its work possible.

More than a celebration, Milestones and Futures is an opportunity to build on the partnership’s legacy, strengthen national and international connections, and shape a bold, inclusive, and innovative future for history education in Canada.

Attendance by invitation only.