Educational Resources

Source: CBC

Focus: Secondary Students

Summary: In 1876, the young country of Canada passed a set of laws intended to govern First Nations people in Canada. Decades later, those laws still exist and are largely unchanged.

So, how and why did The Indian Act come to be? And why is it still on the books? This episode of The Secret Life of Canada explores the federal law that overhauled settler-Indigenous relations.

Possible teaching connections include Geography, History, Social Studies, Law, Civics, and Anthropology.
This teaching guide includes:

• Lesson plan
• Slideshow
• Ad-free audio for download
• Activity sheets
• Episode transcript

Source: Frontier School Division, Manitoba  

Focus: Grades 9-12

Summary: This page is the gateway to Grade 9-12 SS/NS resources that can be integrated into the provincial Social Studies Curriculum.  They may consist of material with an Aboriginal focus or relevant new material not yet available in existing texts. The inclusion of culturally-sensitive materials is based on the belief that affirmation of one’s culture and history can promote confidence and self-esteem, and lead ultimately to greater success in life. This is especially critical for Aboriginal students (defined here as Status and Non-Status Indians, Métis, and Inuit) within Frontier School District. Thus, one of SS/NS Department’s main roles is the creation/acquisition of materials with an Aboriginal focus. Not only can such material have a positive impact on Aboriginal students, they can also help non-Aboriginal students become aware of and sensitive to Aboriginal concerns.

Source: The Manitoba Teachers’ Society

Focus: Elementary and Secondary

Summary: In October 2016, Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire formally launched the Secret Path, a book and CD which chronicles the story of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old boy who died after running away from Residential school in the 1960s.

As part of our ongoing commitment to engage teachers in reconciliation work, the Manitoba Teachers’ Society recently assembled a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous teachers from across the province to discuss and explore the Secret Path and to create lesson and unit plans to support the use of this resource for the teaching about Residential schools in Manitoba classrooms.

Source: LearnAlberta.ca

Focus: Grade 10

Summary: This sample lesson plan supports Education for Reconciliation through the inclusion of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives; role models; and contemporary contributions, with learning outcomes identified in the current Alberta programs of study for Grade 10 in English language arts, social studies, and drama.
Each sample lesson plan includes content(s) or context(s) related to one or more of the following aspects of Education for Reconciliation:

• diverse perspectives and ways of knowing of First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, including values, traditions, kinship, language, and ways of being;
• understandings of the spirit and intent of treaties; or
• residential schools’ experiences and resiliency.

Links and relevant information in Guiding Voices: A Curriculum Development Tool for Inclusion of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Perspectives throughout Curriculum and Walking Together: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Perspectives in Curriculum are provided to support understandings of First Nations, Métis, or Inuit ways of knowing. Both online resources are accessed through LearnAlberta.ca.

This sample lesson plan is best supported by a cross-disciplinary approach as it will enhance learning opportunities for students to explore concepts and content.

Source: Historica Canada

Focus – Grades 9-10

Summary: Students will be required to conduct research on the relocation of the Mushuau Innu from coastal Labrador to the settled location of Davis Inlet. Students will examine the reasons why the federal government chose this course of action. In addition, students will study the effects the forced relocation had on the Innu community.

Source: Alberta Education

Focus: Grades 9-10

Summary: This sample lesson plan supports Education for Reconciliation through the inclusion of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives and experiences, with learning outcomes identified in the current Alberta programs of study for high school social studies and art.

This sample lesson plan includes content(s) or context(s) related to one or more of the following aspects of Education for Reconciliation:

• diverse perspectives and ways of knowing of First Nations, Métis, or Inuit, including values, traditions, kinship, language, and ways of being;
• understandings of the spirit and intent of treaties; or
• residential schools experiences and resiliency.

Links and relevant information in Guiding Voices: A Curriculum Development Tool for Inclusion of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Perspectives Throughout Curriculum and Walking Together: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Perspectives in Curriculum are provided to support understandings of First Nations, Métis, or Inuit ways of knowing. Both online resources are accessed through LearnAlberta.ca.

Source: Historica Canada Teaching Community

Focus: Secondary students

Summary: In this lesson, students will debate and defend different assigned perspectives involving the participants in the outlawing of the potlatch in 1885. Participation in the debate should allow students to make observations that will help them develop an understanding of moral implications today that derive from actions taken in the past. Students should also gain a better understanding of the historical context under which the people in the past operated. Students will identify the perspectives of the agents present at the time and make observations about the moral implications behind historical conflicts and how they influence today’s policymaking. They will also analyze post-Confederation government policies and jurisdictional arrangements that affected, and continue to affect, First Nations peoples.

Source: Canadian Geographic: Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada

Focus: Secondary students

Summary: The Royal Canadian Geographical Society has boldly taken a step to address the truth with the creation of this atlas, which will help balance the historical record with other perspectives and missing pieces of history. The atlas will be a powerful educational tool for all Canadians, affirming the Métis Nation, the Inuit and the First Nations, while helping Canadians and the world learn more about the true history of Canada.

Source: Speak Truth to Power Canada. Defenders for Human Rights

Focus: Secondary (7-12)

Summary: Global and Canadian Defenders for human rights have changed societal conditions and provided inspiration for students. The overall goal of Speak Truth to Power Canada is to raise student awareness that advances in human rights come through the actions of individuals.
In this lesson plan on Cultural Identity and Education you will find:

• An interview with Mary Simon including her biography.
• Student activities that support the theme of this lesson, including activities related to the advocacy work of Mary Simon, the impacts of change on Inuit culture and language, Inuit Education, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and forced relocation.
• Three brief community defender profiles are provided to expand the lesson and encourage students to identify with a variety of defenders for human rights.