Aboriginal and Treaty Rights: Beginning Together Activity
Total Time: Approx. 60 minutes
Context: Small Groups
Strategy: Expert Groups
Participants form expert groups to research information on an assigned cultural group (First Nation, Métis, or Inuit) and then share their new knowledge in a large group.
Overview of Interactive
Aboriginal and treaty rights stem from historical, traditional, cultural and spiritual connections to the lands occupied and shared by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. Canada’s Constitution (1982) recognizes three groups of Aboriginal peoples, but each of these groups is diverse, including individuals with many different goals and priorities. In this activity, participants will have an opportunity to discover differing perspectives on Aboriginal and treaty rights and develop an appreciation for the complexity of this topic.
A scenario presents two teachers who are discussing the the Memorandum of Understanding for First Nations in Alberta signed in 2010 by the Grand Chiefs of three major treaty areas in Alberta, the federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister, and Alberta’s Ministers of Education and Aboriginal Affairs. These two teachers wonder if the agreement also includes the Métis and the Inuit peoples in the province. Their discussion creates interest in finding out more about the complex topic of Aboriginal and treaty rights.
Three tabbed interactive screens, one each for First Nations, Métis and Inuit, presents basic historical information and a focus question. The First Nations interactive map shows information on Treaty Areas 6, 7 and 8. The Métis interactive map shows the Métis Nation of Alberta regional zones and settlements. The Inuit section explains why the Inuit are included even though they do not have a land base in Alberta.
Reflection Statement
How might these treaty, governance and rights issues affect you and your students?
Suggested Activity: Expert Groups
Divide the participants into three groups and assign each group one of these areas: First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
Each expert group navigates through their particular section to find out as much as they can about their assigned cultural group. The expert group prepares an answer to the focus question for their cultural group:
- First Nations: What are the main issues associated with treaties?
- Métis: What is the role of the Métis Nation of Alberta?
- Inuit: Why are the Inuit included in reference to First Nations, Métis and Inuit education in Alberta?
Each expert group also discusses the Reflection Statement question.
Ask the groups to draw on other sources of information. For example, group members themselves may be a great source of information. After researching the cultural groups, the three expert groups form a large group and share their information and expertise in navigating the resource. Encourage expert group members to also share their evaluation of the resource.
