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Land-Based Education: Personal Reflection

Secondary, Middle

Description

This lesson plan focuses on viewing a video and reflecting on its insights regarding land-based learning. The video, set in the Mackenzie Mountains in an area known as Ká Te, features Dr. Glen Coulthard, a member of the Yellowknife Dene First Nation and a professor at UBC. He discusses Indigenous land-based education within a historical context, defining its meaning and explaining its significance for contemporary Indigenous politics and governance.

After viewing the video, students are invited to reflect on the role of land-based education in their own lives. This can include activities such as gardening, harvesting with family, fishing, or taking nature walks. Students should consider a core lesson they have learned from their experiences on the land. This reflection can take the form of a written or oral presentation or the creation of a project.

 By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Describe what land-based education is and how it differs from other forms of learning.     

2. Understand the importance of land-based education within the larger historical context of Canadian colonialism.                             

3. Reflect on how they can integrate land-based education into their own lives and learning experiences.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

Through discussion, students can explore the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the land, the impact of colonization, and efforts to revive Indigenous knowledge in education. This includes recognizing the land as a teacher, incorporating Indigenous perspectives, and engaging with Elders and Knowledge Keepers.

Highlight Indigenous communities' efforts to revitalize languages, cultures, and land-based practices, while discussing the impacts of colonization on these systems. The goal is to deepen students' understanding of Indigenous perspectives, fostering respect for the environment and interconnectedness with nature.

Take students outdoors for activities like medicine walks, gardening, storytelling, and studying local ecosystems. Invite Elders to share their stories and teachings, collaborate with Indigenous communities to develop programs, and examine the role of Indigenous knowledge in environmental stewardship and holistic well-being.

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
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 9: The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them.
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
        • 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
      • 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
        • Contemporary Indigenous Studies: Indigenous peoples are reclaiming mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being despite the continuing effects of colonialism
  • Manitoba
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Dene Kede: Culture - Hunting Camp
        • Dene Kede: Culture - Birchbark Canoes
        • Dene Kede: Culture - Strong Like Two People
    • Grade 9
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Northern Studies 10: Module 4: Living Together
        • Northern Studies 10: Module 5: Becoming Capable
        • Social Studies 10 -Canada and the World: 1914 to the Present: Historical and contemporary injustices challenge the narrative and identity of Canada as an inclusive, multicultural society
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
        • 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
      • 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
        • Northern Studies 12 : The identities, worldviews, and languages of the people of the Northwest Territories are renewed, sustained, and transformed through their connection to the land
        • 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
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Northern Studies: Our History & Our Heritage
        • Northern Studies: Our World Today
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • World Views and Aspirations of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Communities in Canada (College prep.):Colonization and Decolonization
        • World Views and Aspirations of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Communities in Canada (Workplace prep.) Colonization and Decolonization
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
        • 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
      • 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

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (1)

  • Appreciating the Natural World

Indigenous Knowledge (2)

  • Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing
  • TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge

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