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Aboriginal Literature in Canada

Question	Response
How to develop attitudes?	The six different styles of First Nations literature, the wide variety of topics and issues addressed, and the variety of styles of literature will provoke many ideas and emotions with students. Great insight into the successes and struggles of First Nations groups.
What important, related ideas/issues are not addressed in this resource?	The Inuit culture is poorly represented, with only a few pieces of Inuit literature in the resource. Other Aboriginal cultures (e.g. Blackfoot, Gwitchin) are not represented. Teaching methods that will foster respect and understanding towards the variety of cultures are not made explicit.
What important ideas are implied by the resource, but not taught explicitly?	Aboriginal students are taught literature they can relate to. Non-aboriginal students should be educated about the First Nations culture, history and contemporary life. Aboriginal writing is rich and incorporates innovative uses of the English language.
To enhance this resource the following changes are strongly recommended:	Include a section about the Inuit culture. While reading a piece of literature, connect it to something or someone in the students' lives (for example - reading a story in a nearby park that everyone enjoys or relate it to someone who just passed away).
To enhance this resource the following changes would be beneficial:	Developing self-reflection activities or class discussion questions. Having the poems or stories read by the author or by someone with the same cultural background presented in the piece of literature. Learning more about the culture, for example, guest speakers, visiting an historical site, etc.

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Bias Minimization	Good	Aboriginal literature presented and explained from a variety of First Nations groups.
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions	Very Good	Hundreds of aboriginal resources listed that cover a wide range of topics including connections to homelands, colonization, genocide, the will to survive, spirits, love, culture, ecology and much more.
Respects Complexity	Mediocre	Specific pieces of literature for each First Nations group are explained and respectfully critiqued. The issue does not necessary get 'solved'.
Action Experience	Poor/Not considered
Action Skills	Poor/Not considered
Empathy & Respect for Humans	Good	Literature recommended represents six different Canadian First Nations groups and covers a wide range of topics that foster respect for the importance of women, matrilineal and matriarchal social systems, peer acceptance, relationship with elders and much more.
Personal Affinity with Earth	Mediocre	Aboriginal literature has a message for a personal affinity with the Earth and non-humans, although the experience is not outdoors.
Locally-Focused	Good	Teachers are encouraged to focus on the First Nations group close to the school. Making the literature more relevant to the learners.
Past, Present & Future	Good	Students will gain a strong sense of Aboriginal history and present conditions for First Nations peoples. A few pieces of literature predict and give recommendations for future generations.

Pedagogical Approaches

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction	Good	The narrative comments, along with the annotated bibliographies and related reading lists, explanations, interpretations, and suggestions, are meant to encourage teachers and students to find their own voices in teaching and learning Aboriginal literature.
Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Learning	Good	Aboriginal literature will cover a wide range of topics. It can be incorporated into a variety of health, science, ecology, geography, social studies, and, of course, English classes.
Discovery Learning	Mediocre	A few student activities are suggested that encourage comparing and contrasting (e.g. legends). Teacher needs to engage students in dialogue.
Values Clarification	Poor/Not considered	Teachers must engage students in dialogue or self-reflection in order for students to identify, to clarify and to express their opinions. By choosing literature that relates to their Canadian area, students will be more interested. More needs to be done to make the students care about the literature.
Differentiated Instruction	Mediocre	Wide range of literature including websites has been presented. Literature will inform and provoke emotions.
Experiential Learning	Poor/Not considered
Cooperative Learning	Mediocre	Few student activities involving partner work are explained. Class discussion is strongly recommended.
Assessment & Evaluation	Poor/Not considered	No assessment methods for students' knowledge or skills are recommended.
Peer Teaching	Mediocre	Partner work and class discussions are recommended.
Case Studies	Very Good	First Nations groups across Canada are presented with literature that features real events.
Locus of Control	Mediocre	Reading and analyzing the literature will evoke emotions in students. Bringing in a student's background and discussing issues as a class will further enhance students' understanding of the work or issue.

Relevant Curriculum Units

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Alberta
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- Grade 9
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- Grade 12
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British Columbia
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Manitoba
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New Brunswick
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Nova Scotia
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Nunavut
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Ontario
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- Grade 9
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    - Expressing Aboriginal Cultures: Challenges
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    - Contemporary Aboriginal Voices (Univ. Prep) Challenges
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Prince Edward Island
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    - Reading & Viewing
Saskatchewan
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- Grade 9
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    - English Language Arts 9: Assess and Reflect on Language Abilities
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    - Native Studies 10: Community and Kinship: Aboriginal Perspectives
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    - English Language Arts 20
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  - Aboriginal Studies
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    - Native Studies 30: Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
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    - B30 Overall Expectations
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    - English Language Arts A30: Overall Expectations
Yukon Territory
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- Grade 9
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  - English/Language Arts
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Comprehend and Respond
- Grade 10
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  - English/Language Arts
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    - Comprehend and Respond
    - Comprehend and Respond - Comprehension
    - Comprehend and Respond - Critical Analysis
    - Comprehend and Respond - Engagement and Personal Response
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- Grade 11
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  - English/Language Arts
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    - Comprehend and Respond
    - Self and Society
- Grade 12
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  - English/Language Arts
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    - Reading & Viewing
    - Writing & Representing
  - First Nations Studies
    - Step 4Relevant matches
    - Contact, Colonialism, and Resistance
    - Cultural Expression
    - Land and Relationships
    - Leadership and Self-Determination
    - Skills and Processes

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Aboriginal Literature in Canada

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Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

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Aboriginal Literature in Canada

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Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

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