Creating learning environments that reflect the First Peoples Principles of Learning (p. 4)
You can learn more about these principles at:
- http://www.fnesc.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/PUB-LFP-POSTER-Principles-of-Learning-First-Peoples-poster-11x17.pdf
- https://firstpeoplesprinciplesoflearning.wordpress.com
A note on pronunciation (p. 6)
Make students aware that First Peoples’ languages have a rich history of sounds not found in the English language, and consider consulting the language holders directly or use these resources as additional learning investigations:
First Voices:
First Peoples’ Language Map of B.C.:
Territory Acknowledgement (p. 7)
The following resources may help you write an appropriate Territory Acknowledgement with your class:
1. Find out whose traditional territory your school or community is built on. Use this interactive map of traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples across Canada developed by Native Land to help you:
2. Learn more about the protocols for acknowledging territory by reading the information shared by Native Land at:
3. Look at examples of acknowledgements by various post-secondary institutions across Canada on the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) website at:
Talking Circles (p. 8)
BC First Nations Land, Title and Governance Teacher Resource Guide, First Nations Education Steering Committee and First Nations Schools Association, c. 2019 (p. 20).
The Circle Way:
First Nations Pedagogy Online:
Emma Morrison in the Spotlight
Before Reading (p. 9)
1. Watch this short video about Emma Morrison:
2. On Emma’s Instagram account @emma.morrison
Extensions (p.15)
1. Read more about Emma Morrison and her journey to the Miss World Canada stage:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/emma-morrison-miss-world-canada-1.6654132
- https://www.instagram.com/p/ChueVPHr6Vd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
- https://chatelaine.com/living/indigenous-miss-world-canada/
2. Explore Iskwew Air’s website and find out more about Teara Fraser:
- https://www.iskwew.ca/about
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/first-indigenous-woman-to-start-airline-in-canada-1.4835050
3. Learn more about Autumn Peltier’s mission as a water rights activist:
- https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/autumn-peltier
- https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/autumn-peltier
4. Read about the history of the Ribbon Skirt and what the National Ribbon Skirt Day represents:
5. Read this interview with Indigenous author Tasha Spillet from her blog, “raising the revolution”:
6. Find out more about another Indigenous woman making headlines for her work in the aviation industry: Tanya Pash, the first woman appointed to lead Air Creebec:
Strong Indigenous Women
Before Reading (p. 16)
1. Now, fast forward to the Indian Act in 1876 – a time well after colonial contact – and consider the following statement, which comes from the primary document found at:
2. Watch this video, created by Facing History and Ourselves, which gives an overview of the Indian Act, to gain a better understanding of the legislation before reading the article:
Extensions (p.26)
1. What is Bill C-31? Research the Bill that attempts to reverse the damaging effect of the Indian Act on the matrilinear line for Indigenous families. When was this Bill passed? How would this Bill change the rights of Indigenous women? How would it affect Indigenous communities?
2. Learn more about the Indian Act by exploring and analyzing the texts below.
Primary source document:
Encyclopedia articles:
- https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indian-act-plain-language-summary
- https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/women-and-the-indian-act
Blog:
Timeline:
Video interview:
Radio interview:
Video:
3. Find out more about her and her efforts to challenge the injustices of the Indian Act on Indigenous women:
4. Sarain Fox (Anishinaabe) activist, television host, dancer and content producer, has a mission to empower Indigenous communities and especially Indigenous youth. She says “as an Indigenous woman, I know our matriarchs will lead us toward cultural resilience.” What do you think she means by this statement?
5. Read about the writers and reporters, where they live, what matters to them, and why they feel Indiginews is a necessary news information platform at:
6. Jennifer Harper is a successful Indigenous entrepreneur who developed the company Cheekbone Beauty Products. Explore the links in the About menu at :
7. What do you learn about Jennifer? About what inspired her? About the challenges she overcame? You may also be interested in watching Jennifer’s pitch on CBC’s Dragon’s Den:
8. Find out more about the Indigenous women mentioned in the article who have been fighting for the rights of Indigenous women to culture, status, education, safety, and well-being:
Lorelei Williams:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/lorelei-williams-the-story-she-carries-1.3406135
- https://www.cbc.ca/radio/dnto/the-story-she-carries-lorelei-williams-and-her-fight-for-justice-1.3430217/butterflies-in-spirit-honouring-lost-women-through-dance-1.3435435
- https://www.instagram.com/butterfliesinspirit/
- https://www.facebook.com/ButterfliesBIS/
- https://nationtalk.ca/story/butterflies-in-spirit-meet-mmiwg-advocate-lorelei-william
Melina Laboucan-Massimo:
Elsie Knott:
- https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/elsie-knott
- https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/en/commemorations-celebrations/women-impact/trailblazers/elsie-knott.html
- https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/family-of-elsie-knott-remember-her-historic-election-as-first-female-chief/
- https://www.heritage-matters.ca/articles/canadas-first-elected-woman-chief
Michelle O’Bonsawin:
- https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/michelle-obonsawin
- https://www.scc-csc.ca/judges-juges/bio-eng.aspx?id=michelle-obonsawin
- https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/inhouse/news/features/former-general-counsel-justice-michelle-obonsawin-on-being-the-sccs-first-indigenous-judge/381566
Kluane Adamek:
- https://kluaneadamek.ca/about-kluane/
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/kluane-adamek-afn-second-term-1.6232952
Culminating Activity: Poetry Analysis (p. 29)
You can see more of Brianna’s powerful art on her Facebook page at:
Culminating Activity: Letter to My Children (p. 31)
1. Tina is the creator of “To My Children: Every Child Matters – Even You”, a video that describes beautifully and powerfully the impact of Residential Schools on her family and the hope she has for her three children, as well as the importance of understanding history, being kind, and having children know they matter. You can preview this video at:
2. To find out how to purchase rights to show this video to your students, contact Tina at: