Grade 6

Spirit and Intent

Books

​Aboriginal Peoples:  Building for the Future

This comprehensive text deals with an important and often understudied part of Canadian history and heritage. It focuses on all facets of Aboriginal culture, history, and challenges from the past to the present with a careful balance between brutal honesty and uplifting accounts of hope and perseverance. It includes biographies of key Aboriginal figures (i.e. Big Bear, Rosemarie Kuptana, Susan Aglukark) and examines current issues (i.e. Nunavut, Nisga, Oka and Ipperwash).
Reed, K. (1999). Aboriginal peoples: Building for the future. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press Canada.

​"…And They Told Us Their Stories":  A Book of Indian Stories

The introduction by Chief Harry Lafond sets the context for the stories collected from community members by Shirley Bear, George Sutherland, Carol Lafond, Carol Machiskinic, Marina Smokeyday. Christine Baldhead, Peter PeeAce, Gordon Royal and Leona Daniels. Very readable and informative, this is a resource of personal reflections that will contribute significantly to learning (Publisher).
​Funk, J., & Lobe, G. (Eds.). (1991). "...And they told us their stories": A book of Indian stories. Saskatoon, SK: Saskatoon District Tribal Council.

As Long as the Rivers Flow

Starting in the 1800s and continuing into the 20th century, First Nations children were forcibly taken to government-sponsored residential schools to erase their traditional languages and cultures. This moving book tells of one such child, author Larry Loyie, and his last summer with his Cree tribe. It is a time of learning and adventure. He cares for an abandoned baby owl, watches his grandmother make winter moccasins, and sees her kill a huge grizzly with one shot. The sensitive text and Heather Holmlund's expressive illustrations beautifully capture the joy and drama of a First Nations family's last summer together.
​Loyie, O. L., Brissenden, C., & Holmlund, H. D. (2003). As long as the rivers flow. Toronto, ON: Douglas & McIntyre.

Claire and her Grandfather

​Claire and her grandfather, an aboriginal elder, discuss the contributions Indigenous peoples have made related to food, transportation, exploration, the arts and technology.  Claire comes to understand her culture and is able then better able to share her family’s history and culture with her classmates. Available in pdf and audio formats.
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. (2011). Claire and her grandfather. Ottawa, ON: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

The First Nations of Saskatchewan Language Dialect Groups, Map
Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre. (1996). The First Nations of Saskatchewan language dialect groups, map [Map]. Saskatoon, SK: Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre.

​The First Nations Struggle to be Recognized:  A Treaty Resource Guide for Grade 5
Office of the Treaty Commissioner (Ed.). (2008). The First Nations struggle to be recognized: A treaty resource guide for grade 5 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.otc.ca/public/uploads/resource_photo/Grade_5_TFNSBR.pdf

The Indian Act of 1876 was Not Part of Treaty:  A Treaty Resource Guide for Grade 4.
Office of the Treaty Commissioner (Ed.). (2008). The Indian Act of 1876 was not part of treaty [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.otc.ca/public/uploads/resource_photo/Grade_4_TIAOEWNPOT.pdf

​Legacy:  Indian Treaty Relationships

This book looks at the historical context and the historical agreements between Canada’s First Nations and the British Crown.  It also explores some contemporary issues and the Canadian Context in the 1980’s.
​Price, R. (1991). Legacy: Indian treaty relationships. Edmonton, AB: Plains Publisher.

The Life of Helen Betty Osborne: A Graphic Novel

​Helen Betty Osborne left her home in 1969 to attend Guy Hill Residential School.  In 1971 she moved to The Pas, Manitoba to attend Margaret Barbour Collegiate, dreaming of someday becoming a teacher.  November 13, 1971 she was brutally assaulted and murdered by four young men. No arrests were made until 1986 with only one conviction.  Years later, an Aboriginal Justice Inquiry concluded her murder was the result of racism, sexism and indifference.
Robertson, D., & Blackstone, M. (2008). The life of Helen Betty Osborne: A graphic novel. Winnipeg, MB: In a Bind.

Revival of the Treaty Relationship:  A Treaty Resource Guide for Grade 6
​Office of the Treaty Commissioner. (2008). Revival of the treaty relationship, living in harmony: A treaty resource guide for grade 6 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://otctreatyteachermt.wikispaces.com/file/view/Classroom%20Treaty-Grade%201.pdf/134070137/Classroom%20Treaty-Grade%201.pdf

​This Land is My Land

Through his own words and paintings, acclaimed Native artist George Littlechild takes us back in time to the first meeting between his Plains Cree ancestors and the first European settlers in North America. In This Land Is My Land, George intimately and honestly shares with readers how he discovered his Native heritage and what it means to him. He recounts the history of his people and expresses his wish to use his art to portray the wonders of his heritage, and to heal the pain of his people's history.
Littlechild, G. (1993). This land is my land. San Francisco, CA: Children's Book Press.

Treaty Essential Learnings: We Are All Treaty People

The Treaty Essential Learnings document is a reference guide to understanding the foundational aspects of the “Teaching Treaties in the Classroom” program. The Treaty Essential Learnings are those topics, concepts and understandings of treaties and the treaty relationship that students should be expected to know by the end of Grade 12.
Office of the Treaty Commissioner. (2008). Treaty essential learnings: We are all treaty people. Retrieved from http://www.otc.ca/public/uploads/resource_photo/TELS.pdf

Videos

Allen Sapp's Art:  Through the Eyes of the Cree and Beyond

Allen Sapp from OTC on Vimeo.

Office of the Treaty Commissioner. (2005). Allen Sapp [Video file]. Retrieved from https://vimeo.com/97844431

Web Posts

​Aboriginal Languages in Canada, Census of Population 2016​

Aboriginal languages in Canada, 2016 Census of Population

Based on 2016 Census data, the following infographic provides a portrait of Aboriginal languages in Canada, including mother tongue and languages spoken at home.

Government of Canada. (2017, October 27). Aboriginal languages in Canada, 2016 Census of Population. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from Statistics Canada website: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2017035-eng.htm

​Four Directions Teachings

Four Directions Teachings.com - Aboriginal Online Teachings and Resource Centre - © 2006 - 2015 All Rights Reserved 4D Interactive Inc., a subsidiary of Invert Media Inc.

FourDirectionsTeachings.com is a visually stunning audio narrated resource for learning about Indigenous knowledge and philosophy from five diverse First Nations in Canada. The site is provided in English with French subtitles and includes curriculum resources in both English and French.

National Indigenous Literacy Association. (2015). Fourdirectionsteachings.com home. Retrieved May 9, 2018, from Four Directions Teachings website: http://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/

​Historical First Nations Worldview Chart

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Bear, J. (2008). First Nations historical worldview [Chart]. Retrieved from http://www.otc.ca/public/uploads/resource_photo/Worldview.pdf

First Nations Languages Inventory of First Nations Language Community Programs and Resources by First Nations Regions and Federal Agency

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Katenies Research and Management Services. (2011, March 31). First Nations languages inventory of First Nations language community programs and resources by First Nations regions and federal agency. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from Assembly of First Nations website: http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/education/summary_table_of_language_resources_and_curricula_march_31,_2011-1.pdf

Language

Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre. (n.d.). Language. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre website: http://www.sicc.sk.ca/languages.html