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It Had to Be Done

Secondary

Description

This short documentary explores the legacy of residential schools through the eyes of two extraordinary women who not only lived it, but who, as adults, made the surprising decision to return to the school that had affected their lives so profoundly. This intimate and moving film affirms their strength and dignity in standing up and making a difference on their own terms.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This video can be used as an introduction to open a class discussion about residential schools and to raise awareness and acknowledge the harms of the past that are still experienced today.

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 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Aboriginal Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Aboriginal Studies 20: Legislation, Policies and Cultural Change
        • Aboriginal Studies 20: Schooling and Cultural Change
        • Aboriginal Studies 20: The Metis: Conflict and Cultural Change
        • Aboriginal Studies 20: Treaties 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: 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 impact of contact and colonialism continues to affect the political, social, and economic lives of B.C. First Peoples
        • Contemporary Indigenous Studies: Indigenous peoples are reclaiming mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being despite the continuing effects of colonialism
        • Contemporary Indigenous Studies: Reconciliation requires all colonial societies to work together to foster healing and address injustices
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Aboriginal Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Specific Aboriginal Culture
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canada in the Contemporary World: Opportunities and Challenges
    • Grade 10
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Aboriginal Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Current Topics in First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies: Towards a Just Society
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Citizenship and Sustainability:Area of Inquiry: Indigenous Peoples
        • Global Issues
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • History
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian History 1201: Canada at the Turn of the 20th Century (1900 – 1914)
        • Canadian History 1201: Issues in Canada (1970 to Present)
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Module 2: Residential Schools
        • Northern Studies
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • History
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Hstory 10: Religion and Civilizations
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Aboriginal Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Mi'kmaw Studies 11: Education
        • Mi'kmaw Studies 11: Governance
        • Mi'kmaw Studies 11: Spirituality
        • Mi'kmaw Studies 11:Culture
  • Nunavut
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • History
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian History Since World War 1 (Academic): Canada, 1914-1929
        • Canadian History Since World War I (Academic): Canada, 1929 -1945
        • Canadian History Since World War I (Academic): Canada, 1945-1982
        • Canadian History Since World War I (Academic): Canada, 1982 to the Present
        • Canadian History Since World War I (Applied): Canada, 1914-1929
        • Canadian History Since World War I (Applied): Canada, 1929 and 1945
        • Canadian History Since World War I (Applied):Canada, 1945-1982
        • Canadian History Since World War I (Applied):Canada, 1982 to the Present
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Aboriginal Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Views and Aspirations of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Communities in Canada ( Workplace prep.):Reclamation and Reconciliation
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • History
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian History: Identity & Culture (Univ. Prep.) Canada, 1867–1945
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • History
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Canadian History 621A: Goverance
        • Canadian History 621A: Justice
        • Canadian History 621A: Sovereignty
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Aboriginal Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Native Studies 20: Social Justice
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • 1750 to 1919: Disparities in power alter the balance of relationships between individuals and between societies.
    • 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
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Contemporary Indigenous Studies: Indigenous peoples are reclaiming mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being despite the continuing effects of colonialism
        • Contemporary Indigenous Studies: Reconciliation requires all colonial societies to work together to foster healing and address injustices

Themes Addressed

  • Human Rights (2)

    • Cultural Diversity
    • Social Justice

  • Indigenous Knowledge (1)

    • Rituals, Spirituality and Worldviews