Canada History Week 2021 Learning Tool

12 SECTION 4 – PIERRE FALCON & CULTURAL CONTINUITY Activity 4.1 - Video Discussion: Pierre Falcon & Oral History 1. Watch the Pierre Falcon video and read his biography on The Canadian Encyclopedia . 2. Learn about the context of Pierre Falcon’s La Chanson de la Gournouillère (Grenouillère) and analyze the lyrics on the Canadian Museum of History website. 3. As a class, discuss what Pierre Falcon’s La Chanson de la Gournouillère (Grenouillère) tells us about Métis history. 4. Read the Indigenous Oral Histories and Primary Sources article. 5. In small groups, or as a class, discuss: • In addition to history, what kinds of knowledge can Oral Tradition convey? • Can you think of examples of oral histories or Oral Traditions you have encountered? • What are the benefits of using oral histories to understand the past? • What are the limitations of using oral histories to understand the past? • What are the benefits of using archival or written sources? • What are the limitations of using archival or written sources? • How can students and researchers use oral history in combination with archival sources to understand history? Illustration by Stephen Gladue. Still from Pierre Falcon video (Historica Canada). Métis flag. Courtesy Dreamstime.com/Jeff Whyte/220498918.