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:
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:
Learn more about the protocols for acknowledging territory by reading the information shared by Native Land at:
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:
Circle protocol for teachers based on the Lekwungen Speaking Peoples’ traditional knowledge, created by the Indigenous Education Department in the Greater Victoria School District:
The #LandBack Movement
Extensions (p.15)
1. As a class, use appropriate technology to explore the various links below to learn more about the land of each of the First Nations mentioned in the article:
Websites: Encourage students to explore the websites of the following First Nations. What more can they discover about the significance of land to each of these Nations?
Lake Babine:
W̱SÁNEĆ:
Snuneymuxw:
Wei Wai Kum:
Interactive Maps: Find where each of the Nations are located, on one or both of these interactive maps.
British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN):
First Peoples’ Map of B.C.:
2. Learn more about the land back initiatives discussed in the article by encouraging students to explore the links below:
Snuneymuxw First Nation:
- https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/102-acres-of-land-transferred-to-vancouver-island-first-nation-in-historic-signing-ceremony-1.6404814
- https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/vancouver-developer-transfers-former-village-site-to-nanaimo-first-nation-7023068
SISȻENEM:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/small-island-off-b-c-coast-returned-to-local-first-nation-1.5939962
- https://indiginews.com/vancouver-island/wsanec-agreement
Lake Babine Nation:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lake-babine-nation-land-transfer-1.6729408
- https://www.kamloopsbcnow.com/watercooler/news/news/Provincial/Province_transfers_20K_hectares_of_land_back_to_BC_First_Nation/#fs_130524
Wei Wan Kum:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/wei-wai-kum-first-nation-incremental-treaty-agreement-land-back-1.6551863
- https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/b-c-to-return-2k-hectares-of-land-to-vancouver-island-first-nation-1.6023543
3. The David Suzuki Foundation created a 3-video series called Land Back. These videos look at land governance in Canada in the past, present, and future. Check them out at:
4. You may find The Critical Thinking Consortium’s lesson on the historical thinking concept of continuity and change a helpful framework for exploring evidence of continuity and change in the videos:
5. Find out whose traditional territories your school and community are built on. (Use this map, if needed:
6. The First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) has developed an excellent, in-depth resource for teachers to use to explore land issues with students. Titled “BC First Nations Land, Title, and Governance Teacher Resource Guide”, it’s aimed at both elementary and secondary classrooms and is available on the FNESC website at:
7. Encourage your students to take the short personality quiz at:
8. Lindsey Schneider, a descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, part of the Anishinaabe Nation of the Great Lakes Region, delivers a TED Talk entitled: Whose Land Are You On? What to Know About the Indigenous Land Back Movement:
9. Serena Mendizabal, a Haudenosaunee activist from the Six Nations Territory, is featured in this documentary entitled: What does ‘Land Back’ really look like in Canada? Climate Warriors Documentary: Serena:
Land Matters: A Backgrounder
Before Reading (p. 17)
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 children, as well as the importance of understanding history, being kind, and having children know they matter. You can preview this video at:
Extensions (p.27)
1. Invite students to create a mind map showing all the ways they benefit from “living on this land that is a traditional territory of Indigenous Peoples”. To learn how to make a mind map, watch ‘How to Make a Mind Map – The Basics’ at:
2. Watch the music video “Big River People” made by students on the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation in the Yukon at:
3. Find out more about the File Hills Colony that Tina Savea’s family was a part of by visiting ‘Shattering the Silence: The Hidden History of Residential Schools in Saskatchewan at:
4. More information is available at ‘The Children Remembered: Residential School Archive Project’ at:
5. Check out this infographic in The Canadian Encyclopedia: ‘30 Indigenous Place Names and their Meanings’:
6. To learn more about Indigenous territory, the challenges mapping Indigenous territories, and Indigenous land laws in Canada, read this article in The Canadian Encyclopedia: ‘Indigenous Territory’:
7. Watch this Heritage Minute: Naskumituwin (Treaty 9):
Culminating Activity: Art Analysis (p. 28)
You can see more of Brianna’s powerful art on her Facebook page at