Students often struggle to empathize with historical figures. Framing historical contexts into a way that students can relate to often helps them gain perspective on historical events.
Read the two scenarios below. After students answer, task them with finding similarities between these situations and early explorers and First Nations Peoples. These are great enrichment tasks” as well, for students who have the knowledge but need to extend into deeper thinking.
This guide aims to engage students in thinking critically about our historical narratives, and help them consider how both individual and collective worldviews shape — and are shaped by — history.
Popular narratives of Canadian history have most frequently been told from the perspective of European settlers. As a result, Indigenous experiences have often been neglected or excluded from the telling of our country’s history. For a more comprehensive understanding of Canada’s history, it is important to examine it from Indigenous perspectives. Doing so requires students to explore the depth, breadth, diversity, and regional variation of experiences of Indigenous peoples in the land that is now Canada. It is also necessary to examine the legacy and consequences of colonialism and the repressive policies to which Indigenous peoples have been subjected. This guide aims to engage students in thinking critically about our historical narratives, and help them consider how both individual and collective worldviews shape — and are shaped by — history. Much of the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada in the last two centuries is characterized by institutionalized discrimination and inequity, through colonialist and assimilationist efforts such as the Indian Act and Residential Schools. However, Indigenous peoples have not been passive over this time. To the contrary, they have been active agents — acting independently and collectively to resist colonial restrictions, to preserve their traditions, languages and beliefs, and to advocate for their
established but often-ignored rights.
The development and production of Historica Canada’s bilingual education guides is a collaborative process that engages history educators, academic historians, and community stakeholders in content creation and lesson planning. Historica Canada is grateful to share the voices of Indigenous educators and scholars within this guide.
The activities draw upon the historical thinking framework developed by Dr. Peter Seixas and the Historical Thinking Project. The guide provides classroom activities designed to promote research and analysis, engage critical thinking and communication skills, and explore the challenging ethical questions of Canadian history. Educators may want to use all of the lessons in a sequence, or choose the most relevant lessons as standalone activities. http://education.historicacanada.ca/en/tools/493
Supporting documents for this Learning Tool |
File type | File size | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
 Indigenous Perspectives Education Guide |
7.73 MB | Download | |
| Indigenous Perspectives Timeline |
2.44 MB | Download | |
| Indigenous Perspectives Worksheets – All Activities |
2.85 MB | Download | |
| Activity_1_Worksheet_-_Whose_Land_Is_This.pdf |
149 KB | Download | |
| Activity_2_Worksheet_-_What_is_Where._Why_There._Why_Care..pdf |
96.5 KB | Download | |
| Activity_4_Worksheet_-_Fur_Trade_Primary_Source_Analysis.pdf |
835 KB | Download | |
| Activity_6_Worksheet_-_Facebook_Profile_Page.pdf |
339 KB | Download | |
| Activity_7_Worksheet_-_5Ws_Reading_Comprehension_Chart-The_Indian_Act.pdf |
96.7 KB | Download | |
| Activity_7_Worksheet_-_Indian_Act_Amendments.pdf |
101 KB | Download | |
| Activity_10_Worksheet_-_Stories_of_Resistance.pdf |
192 KB | Download | |
| Activity_11_Worksheet_-_Fishbone_Chart-_The_Sixties_Scoop.pdf |
317 KB | Download | |
| Activity_14_Worksheet_-_Media_Interpretations.pdf |
95.1 KB | Download | |
| Activity_16_Worksheet_-_5Ws_Reading_Comprehension_Chart-_Modern_Treaties_and_Land_Claims.pdf |
94.3 KB | Download |
Fostering Remembrance is a part of everything we do. Through The Royal Canadian Legion’s longstanding Annual Poster and Literary Contests, Canadian school children honour Canada’s Veterans through creative art and writing, and help perpetuate Remembrance.
Poster and Literary Contests
The contests are divided into four categories:
The Poster Contest is divided into two categories: colour and black and white. The Literary Contest is divided into two categories: essay and poem. Entries are submitted at the Branch level and winning entries proceed to the provincial and then national level.
The winning entries for each category at the national level are displayed at the Canadian War Museum from July 1 to May 1 of the following year. For the Poster Contest, the second place winners, and those receiving an honourable mention, are displayed in the foyer of the House of Commons during the Remembrance period in November.
For the senior winners in the four contests (two posters, one essay and one poetry), the Legion sponsors a trip to Ottawa to attend the National Remembrance Day Service. There, the winners place a wreath on behalf of the youth of Canada as well as have an opportunity to meet and visit with the Governor General.
Students can enter as many contests as they wish, but can submit only one entry per category.
Local Legion Branches determine the Poster and Literary Contests deadlines for entries. To participate, schools should contact their local Legion in September for information. Contact your local Branch for details.
Download the Youth Education brochure
Initial judging takes place at the community level by volunteers at local Legion Branches. The winning entries are then judged at the provincial level. The winners at this level are sent to Ottawa where the national winners are declared. The winnin
g entries are published in the Winners Booklet which is sent to all Branches and available to schools.
Download the Judging Guidelines
2017 | 2016 | 2015 |2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003
The Legion encourages schools to contact their local Legion Branch for details on coordinating the Poster and Literary Contests.
Veterans’ Week Learning Resources These materials are free of charge. To receive your order by Veterans’ Week, please order before October 27, 2017. http://www.gilmore.ca/vacstore/eng/learningresource.aspx …
This year marks the centennial of the First World War’s Battle of Passchendaele. Explore our web feature for historical info, photo galleries, commemorative events & 4 new lesson plans (one for every age group) http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/first-world-war/passchendaele …
These learning tools explore the themes of commemoration and remembrance as they relate to the First and Second World Wars. Challenge students to reflect on how the past has been commemorated and invite them to use their creative writing and visual art skills to create an original work centered on these themes.
While the contest is closed for this year, the activity is worthwhile and there are lots of great exemplars on their site for inspiration and discussion.
“This thrill and appreciation of opera (and of all art forms) is a critical part of an education curriculum which ensures an understanding and appreciation that in art and music, one can find inspiration, joy, escapism, awe and humanistic insight – which to me, are all very necessary elements of character development.” Teacher, Dundas Public School
http://www.coc.ca/ExploreAndLearn/Schools/
Early Learning/Kindergarten Children are introduced to the gallery museum and community outings through fun activities on a variety of themes. Choose from program themes such as; Collecting, People in our Community, or Jobs and Working. Available January to April only. 1.5 hours, maximum 40 children.
The popular Veterans’ Week materials have been entirely updated for 2016. New editions of the
Explore what we have to offer and order them today at no charge:
www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/get-involved/remembrance-day/learning-resources
Our 2016 Veterans’ Week web feature offers a wealth of other resources for educators, from ideas on how schools can show they remember to social media tools that allow youth to share their thoughts on those who have served and sacrificed in uniform over the years. Check it out here:
www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/get-involved/remembrance-day
McCrae House, located in Guelph, Ontario, is the birthplace of John McCrae (b. 1872 – d. 1918), doctor, soldier and author of the famous First World War poem “In Flanders Fields“. The house is a National Historic Site of Canada.
This small limestone cottage, built in 1858, was owned by the McCrae family from 1870 to 1873. Other families occupied the house until 1966, when a group of Guelph citizens purchased the building with the intention of preserving it as a museum. This group formed the Lt. Col. John McCrae Birthplace Society and began to raise money for its restoration.
McCrae House contains both permanent and temporary exhibition space that interprets the life and times of John McCrae. Yearly themes are offered. Summer activities include Poppy Push, Canada Day, Teddy Bear Picnic, History Camp and special teas in the garden. The gardening volunteers have worked to create an award-winning garden reflecting the time period of the mid-to-late 19th century.
http
://guelphmuseums.ca/venue/mccrae-house/
https://magic.piktochart.com/output/7654177-historical-thinking
Historical SignificanceContinuity & Change
How have things changed? How have they remained the same?
Is this progress or decline?
How fast or how slow does change happen?
Sources:
https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/sshg18curr2013.pdf
http://historicalthinking.ca/historical-thinking-concepts Created by Jacqueline Smith | @jaltheasmith
Ontario Teachers' Blog 