This model will help educators and students gain a deeper, yet still very limited, understanding of First Nation and settler communities and their national relationships. Specifically, we will examine the Algonquin and 6 Nation Confederacy groups of nations. These groups played a tremendous role in the development of the fur, the settlement of Canada, and social activity among the St. Lawrence Seaway and Ottawa River. Thus, to understand the development of Canada it is essential to gain at least a bit of content about these groups of nations, and then how they were affected, manipulated, and engaged in colonial activities. These modules give students the opportunity to examine the significance of First Nations history in the development of Canada, and the interrelationships that existed between First Nations and settler communities during this time. Students will additionally be introduced to another important group of nations, the Algonquin nation, which will deepen student understanding of Canada’s history, by examining Indigenous perspectives. Through this module, students will be able to apply different strategies to demonstrate their learning, including the inquiry process, and spatial skills. The podcast and inquiry component of this module allows students to exercise the inquiry process by formulating questions, analyzing information, drawing conclusions, and communicating findings. The use of maps in this module permits students to implement spatial skills, exercising their ability to analyze visual information. Integrating cross-curricular connections with physical education curriculum in this module enables the learner to demonstrate their acquired knowledge and skills in ways that are engaging and organic, broadening students overall understanding. 

Tier One

Split the gym into two sections. Explain that one group represents the various Algonquin First Nations of Ontario. The other group represents the 6 Nation Confederation in parts of Ontario, Quebec, New York, and surrounding areas. Pick about half of these groups to represent wildlife. In both halves of the gym place hula hoops to act as safe zones for the wildlife. Give each wildlife 3 popsicle sticks. The wildlife can only stay in a hoop for a count of ten before they must run from hoop to hoop. The First Nations teams’ job is to tag wildlife for sticks. Once they get three sticks, they bring them to the teacher for imaginary points. Once the wildlife loses their sticks, they can do three jumping jacks to get the sticks back from the teacher. Wildlife may move freely about the gym, but First Nations people must stay in their territories. (Have students divide the gym to resemble that these territories were agreed upon by the Indigenous people.)

Tier Two

Half of the wildlife should now be broken into two settler groups. The settlers will get three clothespins each. They can trade these with the First Nations for popsicle sticks. Wildlife can again access the whole gym, start with three popsicle sticks, and have safe spaces. Only First Nations can get popsicle sticks from wildlife. First Nations and Settlers must wear their clothespins on their sleeves, and they can be stolen by other teams. To keep the game going, have a points keeper who can record points and redistribute sticks and pins. First Nations get one point for sticks and two points for pins. Settlers get two points for sticks and one point for pins. The gym is not split into two sections for this game. Also, consider letting the settlers set their own price for the popsicle sticks. 

Government of Ontario . (2017). First Nations and Treaties . Retrieved from Treaties Map : https://files.ontario.ca/treaties_map_english.pdf

Government of Ontario. (2019, February 20 ). Crawford's Purchases. Retrieved from Map of Ontario treaties and reserves: https://www.ontario.ca/page/map-ontario-treaties-and-reserves#t2

JOHNSTON, M. (2010, February 23 ). The Gunshot Treaty . Retrieved from Active Rain: https://activerain.com/blogsview/1510606/the-gunshot-treaty

Robertson, R. (2015). Hiawatha and the Peacemaker. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.

The Canadian Encyclopedia . (2018, October 9). Algonquin . Retrieved from The Canadian Encyclopedia: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/algonquin

The Canadian Encyclopedia. (2019, March 11). Ottawa. Retrieved from The Canadian Encyclopedia: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/ottawa-ont

Whose Land . (n.d.). Crawford's Purchase, 1783. Retrieved from Whose Land : https://www.whose.land/en/treaty/crawford-purchase-1783