Database Quiz

Students learn about the history and cultures of Canada's aboriginal peoples by searching the Canadian Museum of Civilization's Gateway to Aboriginal Heritage web module, completing the Gateway to Aboriginal Heritage Database Quiz, and discussing their findings. This activity introduces students to a useful source of information.

Grades 9-12.

Making Do With What You Have

Students learn about the history and cultures of aboriginal peoples by identifying plant and animal materials used to make everyday objects, completing the Match the Object to the Material Activity Sheet, and engaging in a classroom discussion about materials people use to make objects.

Kindergarten to Grade 4.

Discovering Objects

Students learn to interpret museum artifacts, and learn about the history and culture of aboriginal peoples in Canada, by studying objects from the Canadian Museum of Civilization's database, completing a Discovering Objects Activity Sheet, and making a presentation of artifacts.

Grades 5-8.

Treasures of Canada Webquest

Students learn about various themes in Canadian history, including aboriginal history and cultures, French-Canadian history, and immigration to Canada between 1800 and 2000. Working both independently and in small groups, they assume the roles of museum curators of their choice, search the Canadian Museum of Civilization's database, select artifacts for an exhibition targeting high school students, and make a presentation.

Gentle Warrior was written by students and staff at Allison Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Canada in tribute to Mi'kmaq poet and Eskasoni native, Rita Joe. The track features lead vocals by Kalolin Johnson, the rap styling of Devon Paul and powwow chanting by Thunder Herney. Gentle Warrior was created with the support of the National Arts Centre of Canada.

This Treaty focus will be implemented in the Grade Four Social Studies quite well, and has been a part of the current curricula. My objective is to focus on the Treaty information and the impact that the Indian Act of 1876 had upon the First Nations of Saskatchewan. To do this, I plan to use the government Treaty Kit more, and obtain information from our liaison teachers in the school for materials, ideas and suggestions. In particular, there are Smartboard activities , and interactive websites from FNIM. Much of the Social studies content is on Saskatchewan, the Land, The People, interactions and interdependence of individuals, societies, cultures, and nations. Fitting specific Treaty information and essential learnings can mesh with this subject, though many FNIM topics are also in the Language Arts and Science. My goal is to focus study on the treaties themselves, the Indian Act of 1876, and its implications and results, and through various forms of evaluation, have results that show the students have a better understanding of this goal.

This document outlines all Grade 8 Arts Ed outcomes/indicators. The specific outcomes/indicators with Treaty Connections are highlighted and support materials/treaty content are outlined.

This Grade 9 ELA newspaper project can be used as a summative assessment after reading The Absolutely True Diary... by Sherman Alexie. Using Microsoft Word templates, students create a newspaper with a variety of different forms of text and representations.

Ch 1 - Land Acknowledgement Protocol
Ch 2 - Elder Protocol
Ch 3 Talking Stick Protocol
Ch 4 Potlatch Protocol
Ch 5 Powwow Protocol
Ch 6 Indigenous Cultural Tourism Protocol

You will need to provide your information to download the guide.

"The CASS “Guide to Relationships and Learning with the Indigenous Peoples of Alberta” was developed to support our members, as system leaders, to deepen their understanding of foundational knowledge of the Indigenous Peoples. This Guide was developed through an Indigenous lens by including the voices and teachings of Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Their voices are captured on video and edited to introduce and bring understanding to multiple areas of learning that capture and cover the essential teachings identified by the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples of Alberta."

The Planet Protector Academy: H2Whoa! resource teaches students about water conservation and protection and inspires them to take action.

The resource consists of four 60-90 minute lessons that include content developed with Indigenous elders, culture keepers and artists.

Teachers can sign up on this site and get started.

PLUG & PLAY! MINIMAL PREP!

Print Worksheets, Set Up Projector, Let The Website Do The Rest!

Curriculum Objectives:
- To increase awareness of the residential school system as a major part of the European colonizing effort against Aboriginal peoples, resulting in significant intergenerational impacts.
- To increase awareness and understanding of what Nishnawbe Aski Nation (Ontario) members experienced while attending the 13 residential schools in the region.
- To promote awareness in reclaiming language, culture and skills that were lost as a result of residential schools.
- To promote individual healing in the context of rebuilding links with families, communities and Elders.

Complete lessons (2013, 2002) based on Ontario Curriculum.
Grades 9-12.

HONOURING INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES Toolkit.

Learn common phrases in:

INUKTITUT
CREE
LUNAAPEEW
MICHIF
MOHAWK
OJIBWE
OJI-CREE

The information and insights contained in this document will be of interest to anyone involved in bringing local knowledge to bear in school curriculum. Drawing upon the efforts of many people over a period of several years, Sidney Stephens has managed to distill and synthesize the critical ingredients for making the teaching of science relevant and meaningful in culturally adaptable ways. This handbook will provide teachers invaluable assistance with the task of developing and teaching "culturally responsive science curriculum."

There is mounting evidence that curricular and teaching practices that link schooling to the surrounding cultural and physical environment produce positive results on all indicators of student and school performance. This handbook reflects the most current pedagogical principles that move educational practice from teaching about culture as another discrete subject to teaching through the local culture as a way to bring depth, breadth and significance to all aspects of the curriculum.

Socially-based Curriculum Unit

This unit, developed for ENG3E (English, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation - Ontario), uses W.P. Kinsella’s short story anthology Dance Me Outside for a study of the past and present treatment of Natives in Canada, but also for an understanding of the behaviour of non-Natives.

The big ideas that students will understand include: tolerance, awareness, and acceptance of Native culture. The key knowledge concepts include:
- learning about different types of values and value systems as they apply to individuals and different cultures;
- learning more about the definitions of stereotypes, discrimination and racism as they apply to the stories studied;
- learning about standard and non-standard language usage and their place in different societies;
- differentiating between connotation and denotation.

Skills that the students will learn as a result of this unit include reading for meaning and analysis, and critical thinking skills.

The unit culminates in a comparison of the book with its film adaptation.

A Guide for Parents and Families of Aboriginal Students

This resource covers the following topics:
How Can My Involvement Benefit My Child?
How Can I Help My Child’s Learning?
Ideas for Parents and Families of Students in Early Years
Ideas for Parents and Families of Students in Middle School Years
Ideas for Parents and Families of Students in High School
School Partnerships in My Child’s Learning
What Questions Can I Ask About My Child’s Learning?
What Should I Do If An Issue Arises?
Other Sources of Help and Information

This site offers a database of lessons and units searchable by content and cultural standards, cultural region and grade level.

Options are provided for I DO, WE DO and YOU DO for this very well-planned Grade 7/8 project.

Immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention for all Indigenous peoples across Canada (available in some Indigenous languages). Toll-free: 1-855-242-3310.

Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. On request, phone counselling is also available in:
Cree
Ojibway
Inuktitut

Aboriginal children under age 14 make up 7% of all children in Canada and the Aboriginal population is the fastest growing demographic in this country. Eighty percent of Aboriginal children attend off-reserve provincial schools. In terms of school success, there are significant gaps in learning outcomes and graduation rates between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

This site provides many links to articles and resources that discuss this issue and provide examples of how different provinces are striving to close that gap and improve the educational opportunities to help Aboriginal students meets academic success.