Canada Past and Present: A Citizenship Education Guide

ACTIVITY 6: CANADA FROM THE WAR OF 1812 TO CONFEDERATION This activity uses the War of 1812 to Confederation Worksheet, available on the Education Portal. Many major events before Confederation in 1867 contributed to forming the cultural, political, and physical boundaries of the country we now call Canada. These events also led to the growth of a Canadian identity. The War of 1812 was when the United States invaded Canada. Following the war, Canada became more closely tied to Britain than it had been before. More than 10,000 Indigenous warriors fought against the Americans. In the 1830s, despite differences and conflicts between English- and French-Canadians, anglophone reformers in Upper Canada (present-day Ontario) and francophone reformers in Lower Canada (present-day Quebec) formed an alliance that resulted in responsible government for Canada. In a responsible government, the people elect their representatives and exercise power over the government. Responsible government is the basis of Canada’s parliamentary democracy today. Part 1: 1. Read each of the following plain-language summaries on The Canadian Encyclopedia . For each topic, use the War of 1812 to Confederation Worksheet to answer the 5Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why) in point form: • War of 1812 • Province of Canada 1841–1867 • Responsible Government 2. After reading the summaries, consider the following questions: Why are these events important to Canadian history? Did they create long-lasting change? Write your answers in point form. Individuals ClassroomAdaptation Part 2: This activity focuses on people who were enslaved, and those who tried to end slavery in Canada. Read one of their biographies, listed below, on The Canadian Encyclopedia , and answer the following questions: • Who were they? • What did they do? Why were they important? • What might their experiences reveal about life for Black people at that time? • What have you learned about Black slavery in Canada and the Underground Railroad by reading this person’s story? • Chloe Cooley • Mary Ann Shadd • Harriet Tubman • Josiah Henson • Marie-Joseph Angélique 1. Divide into small groups. Each group is assigned one of the following five topics: • War of 1812 • Province of Canada 1841–1867 • Responsible Government • Black Enslavement in Canada • Underground Railroad 2. Read the plain-language summary (or the “Introduction” and “Terminology” sections of the Black Enslavement article) on your topic on The Canadian Encyclopedia as a group. Together, use the War of 1812 to Confederation Worksheet to answer the 5Ws. 3. After reading the summary, discuss with your group: Why are these events important in Canadian history? Did they create long- lasting change? What effects of these events can you see in your community today? ACTIVITY 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ ENCOUNTERS WITH EUROPEANS This activity uses th e Indigenous Peoples’ Early xperiences with Europeans Worksheet, available on the Education Portal. As more settlers came to this land from Europe, Indigenous peoples’ relationships with Europeans grew increasingly complex. These early encounters often had negative consequences for Indigenous groups. Early Indigenous peoples’ experiences with Europeans are diverse and cover hundreds of years of history. There is no single story that represents how these early interactions occurred and how they affected Indigenous peoples. The following activity asks you to look at early colonial history from Indigenous perspectives. 1. In this lesson, you will learn about Indigenous peoples’ first experiences with Europeans. Before you read about these experiences, complete the Vocabulary Exercise section of the Indigenous Peoples’ Early Experiences with Europeans Worksheet . If in a classroom, discuss the answers as a class. 2. Read about the experiences of three Indigenous groups in the Indigenous Experiences of Contact section of the Indigenous Peoples’ Early Experiences with Europeans Worksheet . When you are finished reading, answer the questions below the summaries. 3. Read the questions listed below. Write down some notes about each one. If in a classroom, discuss as a class or in small groups: • What were some common ways that life changed for Indigenous peoples after contact? • In what ways did life change for the worse for Indigenous peoples? • What did you learn about Indigenous experiences of contact that surprised you? • How does colonization affect Indigenous peoples today? Identify ways in which the effects of colonization can be seen in Indigenous communities today. 6