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Description
In this thought starter activity, students explore perspectives on sustainability and then use two-eyed seeing to identify the strengths of Western and Indigenous perspectives on sustainability. Students will:
- reflect on and suggest how they would define sustainability
- read about Western and Indigenous perspectives on sustainability
- discuss the most important similarities and differences between Western and First Peoples'perspectives on sustainability
- suggest how two-eyed seeing might help make more sustainable decisions and actions.
The resource provides modification and extension activities to enhance the learning about sustainability and Western and Indigenous perspectives. These materials were created with guidance from Indigenous educators, subject matter experts and thought leaders to help draw upon important teachings, learnings, and Indigenous perspectives.
General Assessment
Strengths
Throughout this activity, educators can assess their students’ ability to:
- Respectfully consider other perspectives.
- Determine significant similarities and differences.
- Explain the reasoning behind their decisions.
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This activity provides an excellent starting point to introduce students to the strengths of Western and Indigenous perspectives on sustainability. The resource suggests extension activities such as asking students to assess a current energy project using various perspectives on sustainability (for example, pipeline construction). Students can decide if the project is sustainable from a Western perspective or an Indigenous Peoples’ perspective. Teachers could integrate this activity into any unit that acknowledges the value of Traditional Ecological Knowledge or one that explores different cultural perspectives on sustainability.
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 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Indigenous Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Aboriginal Studies 30: Aboriginal World Issues
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 11:Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science for Citizenship 11: Scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Current Topics in the Sciences 30S: Science, Technology, Society & the Environment
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Indigenous Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Current Topics in First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies: A Festival of Learning
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Introduction to Environmental Science 120: An Overview of Environmental Science
- Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Sustainable Development
- Indigenous Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Indigenous Studies 120: Worldview
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 3205: Introduction to Environmental Science
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 621A: Introduction to Environmental Science
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 20: Integrative Nature of Environmental Science
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 11:Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science for Citizenship 11: Scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 12: Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing population
Themes Addressed
Citizenship (1)
- Sustainable Consumption
Ecosystems (3)
- Appreciating the Natural World
- Biodiversity
- Habitat Loss
Indigenous Knowledge (2)
- Rituals, Spirituality and Worldviews
- TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge
