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Indigenous Nation Terms: Getting Started

Secondary, Middle

Description

This video provides an engaging and informative introduction to Indigenous terminology and respectful practices for incorporating Indigenous education into the classroom. Holli Sayies, an Indigenous consultant for LSF, explains the three constitutionally recognized Indigenous groups in Canada, Métis Nation, First Nations and Inuit, while emphasizing the importance of using specific and respectful language when discussing Indigenous peoples. The video explores the histories, cultures, territories, and identities of these Indigenous groups, while also addressing outdated and contested terms such as " Eskimo", explaining their historical context and why they are no longer recommended. The video also discusses traditional Indigenous introductions and the importance of acknowledging the land, family and non-human relations. 

The resource provides practical suggestions for educators beginning to integrate Indigenous perspectives, such as learning local Indigenous terms, using Indigenous created resources and applying a "Two-Eyed Seeing " approach that values both Indigenous and Western ways of Knowing. The video serves as an excellent introductory resource for educators seeking to build their confidence and understanding in Indigenous education.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This video is best suited for educators and students in grades seven to twelve although some segments of the video could be adapted for younger students with teacher support.  The terminology, historical context, and discussions around identity, legal status and contested language require a level of maturity and critical thinking. The video is an excellent teaching tool for teacher professional learning, Indigenous education introductions, social studies, history and geography courses. Educators could also adapt selected concepts and visuals for upper elementary students when introducing respectful terminology and Indigenous nation diversity.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Aboriginal Studies 10: Origin and Settlement Patterns
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Aboriginal Studies 20: The Metis: Conflict and Cultural Change
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explorations in Social Studies 11(Human Geography, Contemporary Indigenous Studies, Social Justice) : Indigenous peoples are reclaiming mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being despite the continuing effects of colonialism
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • B.C. First Peoples: The identities, worldviews, and languages of B.C. First Peoples are renewed, sustained, and transformed through their connection to the land
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Linguistic Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity::Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Linguistic Diversity
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Linguistic Diversity
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canada in the Contemporary World:Diversity and Pluralism in Canada
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Linguistic Diversity
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Linguistic Diversity
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Linguistic Diversity
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Current Topics in First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies: A Festival of Learning
        • Current Topics in First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies: Indigenous Peoples of the World
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Citizenship and Sustainability:Area of Inquiry: Indigenous Peoples
        • Global Issues
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian Identity: Reflections on Canadian Identity: What it Means to be Canadian
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Social Studies 10 -Canada and the World: 1914 to the Present : The development of political institutions is influenced by economic, social, ideological, and geographic factors.
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explorations in Social Studies 11: Indigenous peoples are reclaiming mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being despite the continuing effects of colonialism
        • Northern Studies 11: ndigenous worldviews recognize that all children are born capable with skills, gifts, and talents to be nurtured and celebrated
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Northern Studies 12: Reconciliation requires all northern people to work together to foster healing, address injustice, celebrate diversity, and live well together
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Contemporary Canadian Studies 11: Canadian Indigenous Cultures
  • Nunavut
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Canada (Open): Prior to 1500
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Issues and Perspectives (univ./college prep.) Cultural Identity and Cultural Continuity
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Contemporary Indigenous Issues and Perspectives in a Global Context, (Univ./College prep.): Indigenous Peoples and Perspectives
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian Studies 401A: Canada's Place in the World
        • Canadian Studies 401A: Canada’s Voices from the Past
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Native Studies 10: Identity and Worldviews, Aboriginal Perspectives
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Native Studies 30: Aboriginal and Treaty Rights
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explorations in Social Studies 11: Indigenous peoples are reclaiming mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being despite the continuing effects of colonialism
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • B.C. First Peoples: The identities, worldviews, and languages of B.C. First Peoples are renewed, sustained, and transformed through their connection to the land

Themes Addressed

Indigenous Knowledge (1)

  • TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge

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