Grade Level

Grade 6

Time Required

45 to 60 minutes depending on pre-existing student knowledge and level of computer comfort

Curriculum Connection

Manitoba Grade 6: Life in Canada’s Past (lesson will be compatible with the new Grade 6 curriculum, Canada: A Country of Change)

Link to Canadian National Geography Standards

Essential Element #1 – The World in Spatial Terms

• map elements

Essential Element #2 – Places & Regions

• changes in places and regions over time

Essential Element #4 – Human Systems

• population density, distribution, growth rate

Essential Element #6 – The Uses of Geography

• effect of physical and human geographic factors on major historical events

Geographic Skill #1 – Asking Geographic Questions

• plan how to answer geographic questions

Geographic Skill #2 – Acquiring Geographic Information

• use maps to collect and/or complete geographic information

Geographic Skill #4 – Analyzing Geographic Information

• interpret information obtained form maps
• use statistics to evaluate geographic information

Geographic Skill #5 – Answering Geographic Questions

• make generalizations and assess their validity

Atlas of Canada Resources

The following maps, found on the Atlas of Canada Web site at atlas.gc.ca will be accessed and used by students during the lesson:

• Explore Our Maps

History » Historical Indian Treaties » Historical Indian Treaties Map

People & Society » Aboriginal Population » Percentage of Aboriginal Population by Census Division, 1996 Map

Reference Maps » Provincial and Territorial Outline » Manitoba with Names Map

Additional Resources

• print atlases
• computer lab with Internet access and a colour printer
• review student worksheet

Main Objective

There are two primary objectives:

• to enable the students to navigate and use the online Atlas of Canada
• to compare the land area of the historical numbered treaties with Aboriginal peoples in Manitoba and the present percentage of Aboriginal people in those areas today and draw conclusions regarding these findings

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• access and navigate the Atlas of Canada Web site
• use the Explore Our Maps section to locate the necessary maps for this lesson
• find specific information about historical Indian treaties in Manitoba using the Get Info from Map tool on the interactive maps
• understand the definition of treaty in the context of the lesson
• draw conclusions about why treaties were signed with Aboriginal peoples in Canada and Manitoba circa 1870
• draw conclusions about where Aboriginal population is the highest and lowest in contemporary Manitoba

Introduction

Teacher Activity

• brainstorm with students about their knowledge of Aboriginal peoples in Canada, suggested questions:

1. Who are considered Aboriginal People?
2. What percent of Canada’s population is Aboriginal?
3. How many reservations are there in Manitoba?

• brainstorm with students about their knowledge of treaties
• develop or provide a definition for the term treaty
• hand out the student worksheet and the paper outline map of Manitoba to the students

Student Activity

• students participate in the teacher-led brainstorming session
• write the definition for the term treaty on the worksheet

Lesson Development

Teacher Activity

• instruct the students to work through the remainder of the worksheet
• guide and assist students where necessary

Student Activity

• students will work through the instructions and complete activities and answer questions on the worksheet

Conclusion

Teacher Activity

• review the answers with the students

Student Activity

• ask questions about worksheet answers

The student worksheet is printed separately for distribution to students.

• Student Worksheet – Historical Indian Treaties and Aboriginal Population

• have the students write an essay on one of the five groups of First Nations in Manitoba (a good source is www.manitobachiefs.com/pr/public.html)
• have the students plot their statistical findings from this lesson on a graph

• evaluate the student worksheet
• evaluate the follow-up assignment

• PDF version (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)