National Holocaust Monument
Ottawa, Canada

A collaboration between

About

The National Holocaust Monument: Landscape of Loss, Memory, and Survival honours Jewish victims and survivors of the Holocaust and serves as a poignant reminder to Canadians of the perils of antisemitism, hatred, racism and intolerance. It stands as a tribute to the courage and resilience of Holocaust survivors who found refuge in Canada and made significant contributions to the nation.

The National Holocaust Monument IWalk is an essential companion to the Monument, inviting you to personally engage with the physical space while hearing the testimonies of Holocaust survivors who settled in Canada. By providing valuable history and context, the IWalk takes you on a journey through the destructive legacy of antisemitism during the Holocaust and its significance today.

Testimonies and video clips in this IWalk were provided by the USC Shoah Foundation, Liberation75, and the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship (CHES). A special thank you to Professor Jan Grabowski for being a historical consultant for this IWalk.

The National Holocaust Monument is situated on unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory, where Indigenous peoples have lived for millennia and continue to nurture the land.

"Designed to leave you with a comprehensive unit on Holocaust education, this Monument and the IWalk helps students understand the Holocaust’s historical context and its enduring relevance."

- Alyssa Novick, Ashbury College. Ottawa, Ontario.

IWalk App

The IWalk app, developed by the USC Shoah Foundation – The Institute for Visual History and Education unlocks a new window into our past. IWalks and Virtual IWalks are carefully curated by USC Shoah Foundation’s team of educators and scholars which help contextualize and humanize the history at sites of memory by using testimony, photographs and maps. The result is a unique multimedia experience that provides visitors a personalized learning experience at sites of memory around the world in multiple languages. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.

You can experience two different IWalks for the National Holocaust Monument:

General Public IWalk

Enhances your visitor experience by contextualizing and humanizing the Holocaust with survivor testimonies to offer a deeper connection with the monument and the history it represents.

Teachers + Students IWalk

Deepens student learning of the Holocaust through survivor experiences, prompts and responses to guided questions, which can be assessed by educators.

Screenshot from IWalk app, example of a stop

Instructions

1) In the app store, download the app titled “IWalk – USC Shoah Foundation”.

2) Once downloaded, tap “Explore IWalks”.

3) From the list of countries, select “Canada”.

Select one of the 2 IWalks (General Public IWalk or Teacher + Students IWalk) available for the National Holocaust Monument. Make sure to download the tour content, preferably prior to your arrival to the National Holocaust Monument.

Detailed IWalk Instructions

Instructions détaillées pour IWalk

Educational Materials

The pre- and post-walk educational materials are essential components of the IWalk App experience. These resources are designed to prepare students for their virtual or in-person visit to the National Holocaust Monument and help them reflect on what they have learned afterward.

Pre-walk materials ensure that students have the necessary historical context and background knowledge before engaging with the monument and the app. They provide key information on the Holocaust, Canada’s involvement, and the importance of memorials in combating antisemitism and hate. Post-walk materials offer guided reflection activities that help students process their experience, discuss their thoughts and emotions, and solidify their understanding of the Holocaust's relevance today.

Teachers are strongly encouraged to download these materials ahead of time to ensure a comprehensive learning journey. By incorporating both pre- and post-walk lessons, students can more meaningfully engage with the Holocaust’s history and legacy, fostering a deeper understanding of the consequences of prejudice and the importance of pluralism.

If you are far from the monument, please see the Virtual Tour.

IWalk Educational Materials

Matériel pédagogique de l'IWalk