Chapter 6, 7 and Appendix 3, Final Discussion

Boozhoo!
The end of this school year is such a busy time, and I seem to have let the book club slip a bit.
I still enjoy reading your comments, and I hope that you find value in your reading and reflections.

These are discussion questions for Chapters 6 and 7 as well as Appendix 3: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.

Please don't feel like you need to answer every question.

The self-reflection and the reflection on the country of Canada and on the

Education System are most important.

I look forward to reading what you have to share!

1. People who are First Nation, Metis and Inuit are doing many things to heal their

communities and themselves after years of violence, racism, and oppression.  

What can non-Indigenous Canadians do to support this healing?

2. How can you implement the Calls to Action to your own life?

3. How can you implement them in your teaching practice?

4. How have you shared your learning at your school, as well as outside of school?

Please share any other reflections you may have.

Miigwech for taking the time to read and share!

Chapter 4 and 5

Boozhoo! 
Thanks to everyone who has stuck with the bookclub this far! 
The next section looks at the loss of languages as well as Stephen Harper's apology for the grave mistreatment of First Nation, Metis and Inuit children in residential schools.  

Here are some discussion questions for this section.  If there is anything else you would like to discuss, feel free. 

Language
1. How do you think the loss of language affected indigenous people today?

Official apology vs G20 meeting quote

Compare the official apology given by Stephen Harper with the quote from his speech at the G20 meeting.  Do these two statements align? What message did Stephen Harper send not only to the Indigenous Peoples but also Canada as a whole?

Canada celebrates women’s sufferege and the fact that women got the right to vote in 1917. The Government of Canada denied “Indians” the right to vote in Canada until 1960.  Reflect on what you learned in history class, or perhaps have taught in your school. How will this affect your practice in your classroom?

Boozhoo!
This next section looks at information about Indian residential schools and the words and deeds of Sir John A. MacDonald and Duncan Campbell Scott, Superintendant of Indian Affairs. Many people see Sir John A. MacDonald as Canada's founding father, and that he deserves an important place of honor.  Many Indigenous people do not share this feeling. As you read this section you will find that he was the architect of residential schools and shares a huge responsibility in where, how and why they were run. 

1. How have your feelings about Canada’s first Prime Minister changed since reading these sections?

Do you think removing his name from buildings contribute to reconciliation or erase history?

2.  Compare the success of non-Indigenous farmers in Canada with the hardships and

oppression faced by the Indigenous people who were put onto reserves and forced to farm.  

How has this changed your thinking about First Nations and their relationships with

Non-Indigenous communities?

3. What do you think the goals were for the government’s assimilation of “Indians”?

 

4. To what extent are current social issues faced by some Indigenous people a result of residential

schools?

    

5. What feelings arose in you when you were reading these sections.  

How will you use your new information to guide your instruction in your classroom?

Chapter 2

This next section is only one chapter, so I am including a short additional reading to complement Chapter 2.  

Let's make this local:  Read this article, paying special attention to the mention of The Oliver Act near the end.  

http://www.sarniahistoricalsociety.com/story/history-of-the-aamjiwnaang/

 

   

1. How has your understanding of local First Nations changed after reading chapter 2 and the article?  

2. How will you use this new understanding in your classroom?

Additional Resources for Section 1

Hi friends!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has joined the book club.

One thing I say to teachers when I am leading workshops or staff meetings is there is

no Reconciliation without Truth.  We as teachers are the Truth part of the equation.

I am very glad that so many people in our school board are taking the time to read

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act and are learning the truth.  

As we wrap up this section of the book, I want to say MIIGWECH (thanks) to everyone

who is reading, posting comments and reading each others’ comments.  

Here is a timely article about Indian Status and how the Indian Act is discriminatory

against women: Indian Act still discriminates against First Nations women, says

UN Human Rights Committee.

If you find any resources that you feel relate to our first reading, please add them

in the comments below!

Miigwech!

Introduction and Chapter 1 Jan 7th-31st

1. Reflect on your own understanding of the Indian Act. Before reading this book, what is/was your understanding of the Indian Act? Why do you think you have had this level of understanding? 2. How has your understanding and possibly biases been challenged by this first chapter? 4. What feelings did you experience when you read this chapter. Explain.