Aboriginal Heroes - Influencing our Youth

Summary:

‘Identity is an issue of significance for youth who need positive heroes in their lives to learn from and to model themselves after. Aboriginal Heroes: Influencing our Youth is a teacher guided and student driven task for students at the secondary level. It allows students to use their historical thinking and literacy skills to evaluate historical evidence on an Aboriginal hero and employ their learning to assist them in better understanding Aboriginal contributions to our nation’s identity and ultimately their own.’


General tasks:

Part 1: Groups of 3-4 students determine what a hero is, and what the required qualities to be one are; then, they make of shortlist of at least 4 Canadians heroes of any origin. They share and compare the results with other groups, and return in original group. Then, they discuss the reasons why other’s heroes were chosen or not chosen (external factors, personal interpretation). In a class discussion, talk about the inclusion or the exclusion of Natives in the lists of heroes, and discuss the importance of Aboriginal heroes in Canadian identity.

Part 2: Students listen to Heroes by Wab Kinew and note unheard heroes. They choose one named hero and do a research about him or her, analysing their contribution to Canadian identity in general and for youth. The research must include a minimum of 3 sources (MLA format), a picture and a biography.


Evaluation Criteria:

Analysis of chosen hero’s contribution in Canadian identity; biographical details about chosen hero, establishment of hero’s contribution; participation in class discussion; spelling and grammar, bibliography, picture(s).
Aboriginal Heroes - Influencing our Youth

Holly Berner

10 or 11

Meaford, Ontario

‘An exploration of Aboriginal heroes and their influence on our nation's identity and the identity of our youth.’

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