Indigenous Peoples of Burnaby, Learning More
Hello Everyone,
We have had great discussions to answer a big question: How did we all get here?
We looked at our own personal histories, to see how our families came to be in Canada. Then, we focused on the larger human migration story and how all humans traveled the Earth to settle in different areas over time. We also looked closely at the First Peoples of Canada, who have been here and continue to be here, since thousands of years before other immigrants arrived from around the world.
We discussed how there are three main groups of Indigenous Peoples of Canada, the Inuit, First Nations, and Metis. Then, we looked at the broader tapestry of groups throughout Canada. Each student helped with our understanding by reading about two First Nations groups and looking carefully at what they call themselves, how to pronounce it, what language they speak, and what they believe.
Before we move forward looking at the rest of our history, from European contact and beyond, let’s take a moment to honour, to acknowledge, and to learn about the First Nations groups of the Coast Salish Peoples who live and who have a long history on their unceded territories, in the land we know as Burnaby.
Each student will work in a small group to find out information on one of the four First Nations groups in Burnaby — the Musqueam, the Squamish, the Tsleil-Waututh, and the Kwikwetlem. Click on the links for each name to learn more.
They will find out:
- How do we pronounce the group’s name and language? Teach us.
- Where does this group live now, and where did they spend time in the past in relation to Burnaby?
- What is the history of this group?
- What is unique about this group that could be shared with everyone?
Then this is what we will do:
The sharing will be done in class. Each person in the collaborative team can help with a different part of the project.
Write the facts you would like to share on an index card. Then, practice with your group sharing these facts aloud.
After all the sharing is done, Ms. D will ask everyone in the class some questions based on the presentations in an e-port. So, it is important all students take notes will the sharing is going on, so they can answer the questions.
Through this, we will support our goals around reconciliation, learning more about the Indigenous history of our area, and making connection with the rich history that has existed on these territories for thousands of years.
I look forward to hearing your presentations! More on this in class, so everyone understands what they need to do. 🙂
Due Date for Presentations: February 27th