This site offers a glimpse into the Mi’kmaw way of life - past and present and how it is shaping the current reality of the Mi’kmaw people.
An extensive list of resources is available.
This guide is a resource for educators at all levels to introduce the value of Indigenous women’s and girls’ lives into the classroom and into the minds and hearts of young people. It will prepare educators to use a decolonizing pedagogy and a trauma-informed approach in their teaching.
Check out three cool facts about teepees from Cottonball's friend Sara at Fort Whyte Alive in Winnipeg.
Through Mala's Eyes takes a look at the Inuit community and helps students understand and appreciate one of the diverse cultures that exist within Canada. This resource looks at the life of an Inuit community in northern Quebec, through the eyes of Mala, a twelve year old Inuk boy. Through his first person narratives, Mala provides interesting background information about life in his community.
Downloadable teaching resource provided.
This is an excellent resource for teaching students about Inuit life. This resource speaks directly to students as it is given from the point of view of a twelve year old child. Students ages nine to fourteen should enjoy relating to these stories. It is rare to find a resource about Inuit life that is this modern, positive and engaging.
There are a variety of activities included within the resource, and teachers are encouraged to choose those which best apply to their classroom. There is also a lot of good background information provided in the resource, such as a glossary of Inuit terms and the Inuit alphabet. As well, online links are provided for more information.
This series of lesson plans, built around the first-person narrative of a 12-year-old Inuk boy, will help you and your students appreciate life in the Inuit community of Salluit, in the northern part of Nunavik, Northern Quebec. Although designed for students from 9 to 12 years of age, some of the lesson plans and strategies in this unit can be adapted for other grade levels. Suggested activities and lists of research resources offer exciting and engaging opportunities to learn more about the history, customs and traditions of Inuit in Canada.
The aim of this booklet is to enhance the knowledge of students about the history, cultures and traditions of Inuit and, in particular, those who live in Canada's northern Inuit community of Salluit.
By completing the lessons in this booklet, students will be able to:
- express an appreciation for the strong traditions and unique culture of the Inuit people, in various ways
- describe the various developments that affected Canada's Arctic from its early history to the present
- locate the community of Salluit and its neighbouring Inuit municipalities on a map of Canada
- relate the similarities and differences between life in Salluit and life in their own community.
Through Mala's Eyes...Life in an Inuit Community offers educators opportunities to address provincial learning outcomes in the social studies, history and geography portions of their curriculum. Given the nature of the suggested activities, students will also address learning outcomes in language, the arts and mathematics.
*Audio recordings of student readings are available through the website, but are not hyperlinked in the pdf document.
*With some slight adaptations, this unit can be completed without technology.
In this video, Cree Elder Mary Lee shares tipi teachings that have been passed on to her from her mother and other teachers with whom she has learned during her lifetime.
Early Years Tipi Teachings
Resources by Tipi Pole Value
Niimin shows Janaye some Fancy Shawl Dancing footwork, and shows off her skills in Studio K.Make sure and SUBSCRIBE to be the first to know about new shows, ...
This activity explores the role of the buffalo in the lives of the American Indians of the northern Plains. For centuries, the American bison--commonly called the buffalo--has been revered by various Native American peoples. The buffalo still plays a central role in many American Indian cultures. Stories passed from generation to generation--by spoken word and by pictures painted on animal hides--record the history of American Indians and the buffalo.
Website sections include:
- You be the historian
- What can you make from a buffalo?
- Background Information
More about the buffalo hide painting
Meet the artist
Map of the Plains Indians
- Classroom Materials
Make your own buffalo hide painting
Student worksheet
Teacher guide
"Skills Ontario has produced a wide range of videos to showcase the skilled trades and technologies and the amazing opportunities within these fields! Explore below!"
Educational Animated Videos about Trades - playlist
"A Day in the Life" Tours - playlist
Success Stories
Indigenous Role Models
Some grade six students at Aqsarniit School in Iqaluit, Nunavut did a project on some of their favorite Traditional Inuit Games (phys. ed. type activities). They hope other students will learn how to play some of them where they live. The games are:
The Kneel Jump
The Back Push
The Airplane
The Sitting Knuckle Pull
The Legwrestle
The Knucklehop
The Mouth Pull
The Musk Ox Push
The Trans-Canadian Research and Environmental Education (TREE) project is a citizen science program where students from across Canada join with researchers from the Mistik Askîwin Dendrochronology Lab (MAD Lab) to learn about the stories trembling aspen trees tell and how a synchrotron can be a tool to tell that story. Join us as we explore this new area in research and learn about environments across Canada!
From a scientific perspective with TREE, trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) are a species of tree that is abundant throughout most of Canada. They also tolerate, even thrive, with much higher levels of toxins in their soil than most other species of trees and can potentially be used to remediate contaminated sites.
From an educational perspective, learning about the life and nutrient cycles of trees, nutrients in soil, and tracking effects on trees over time provides a wealth of opportunity for student education. The TREE program connects with curriculum across several subject areas and grade levels. It provides an interdisciplinary learning experience for students, including local Indigenous knowledge related to the trees, history, and the environment.
Everyone benefits when there is a greater understanding and appreciation of Treaties and the Treaty relationship.
This issue of Canada’s History explores the history of Treaties and the Treaty relationship and is an important first step in sharing First Nations perspectives.
It has been developed with contributors who have helped to incorporate the spirit and intent of Treaty making. The contributors, drawn from across the country, bring expertise and insights that help us to understand the continuing relevance of Treaties and the Treaty relationship.
Treaties and the Treaty Relationship
The Canada’s History Treaties issue features guest editor Treaty Commissioner Loretta Rosslink opens in new window from the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba.
Contributing writers, from throughout Canada, have shared their insights and knowledge on a wide variety of aspects of Treaty history and the Treaty Relationship.
As Commissioner Ross states in her Forward: “For too long, Canadians have learned about Treaties with First Nations from a singular, non-First Nations perspective. The goal of this special issue is to try to provide a more balanced understanding of Treaties and the Treaty relationship.”
In addition to this special edition of Canada’s Historylink opens in new window that you can download as a PDF, you can also access the Educator’s Guide.
Treaties and the Treaty Relationship Educational Package.
Visit the site to download the information.
On August 30, 2022, a Flag Ceremony was held at the Sun West Learning Centre in Rosetown to welcome the Treaty 6, Treaty 4 and Métis Nation flags to Sun West School Division. Welcoming the flags to the Sun West Learning Centre, which is directly adjacent to the Sun West Division Office, recognizes that Sun West is on Treaty territory as well as the School Division’s commitment to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in particular those that relate to education. The Flag Ceremony was held in conjunction with the first Sun West Administrators Meeting (Principals and Vice-Principals) of the 2022-23 school year and so the Administrators of all of Sun West’s schools participated. Most Sun West schools are within Treaty 6 Territory except for Davidson and Loreburn Central Schools that are in Treaty 4 Territory. The entire school division falls within the Métis Nation Homeland.
Students activities and teacher resources developed by the Treaty 4 Student Activity Committee and Partners.
Living Sky School Division teachers and consultants share their units and lessons that highlight Treaty Essential learnings. The resource list will continue to grow over time. We welcome your feedback and contributions to this collection of units.
Grade 1 - 7 Plains Cree Hand Drumming Overview
Grade 3 - Lifestyle changes after signing treaty unit
Grade 4 - Residential Schools unit
Grade 4 - Whose Voice? The Conquerors unit
Understanding worldview when learning about the treaties. Use drama and role play to create scenarios with the real characters from history. (Arts Ed/ELA/Treaty Ed)
Grade 5 - 12 - Response to Art viewing sheet with discussion, background and activity
Video with artist talking about her art work about residential schools
Grade 5 – Social Studies - Canada and Aboriginal Heritage unit
Review: Jeopardy Game
Grade 6 – ELA – Heroes/Models/Peacemakers unit
Grade 6 – Arts Education – Métis Identity & Jigging unit
Grade 7 – Ecosystems & Indigenous Knowledge: “Healing Garden”unit
Sacred Plants (3 min. audio file: Oral Storytelling, from CBC Re/Vision Quest podcast "Elders")
Grade 8 – Social Studies - We Are All Treaty People unit
TREATY VOCABULARY
The following is a list of words to help students understand the concept of the Treaty
relationship. Using the words and the sentences provided, have students explore and express
their understandings in the blank area. They may be instructed to write their understanding
of the sentence, to draw a picture or symbolic representation, and/or write or draw their own
analogies or metaphors. Encourage the students to share their work with each other.
This PowerPoint outlines the role of the treaty catalyst teacher and offers some background knowledge and training for teachers in schools fulfilling the teacher catalyst teacher role.