The Sixties Scoop & Child Welfare
An investigation into the mass removal of Indigenous children from their families into the child welfare system, and its lasting consequences.
Key Questions
- Analyze how the Sixties Scoop perpetuated the assimilationist goals of residential schools.
- Explain the profound impact of the Sixties Scoop on the identity of affected children.
- Evaluate how contemporary child welfare systems are addressing this historical injustice.
Ontario Curriculum Expectations
About This Topic
Indigenous rights and self-determination are central to the modern relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian state. This topic explores the legal and political movements for Indigenous sovereignty, including landmark land claims cases and the establishment of self-governance agreements. Students examine the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and its significance for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in Canada. This is a key part of the Ontario curriculum, focusing on the shift from government control to Indigenous-led governance.
Students investigate how Indigenous communities are exercising their rights today in areas such as resource management, education, and social services. This topic benefits from simulations of land claim negotiations and structured discussions about the meaning of sovereignty. Students grasp the complexities of legal and political rights faster through peer explanation and by analyzing real-world examples of Indigenous self-determination in action.
Active Learning Ideas
Simulation Game: Land Claim Negotiation
Divide the class into three groups: an Indigenous community, the provincial government, and a resource company. They must negotiate a land-use agreement for a proposed project, using the principles of 'free, prior, and informed consent' from UNDRIP.
Inquiry Circle: UNDRIP in Canada
In small groups, students analyze specific articles of UNDRIP (e.g., rights to land, culture, or self-government). They then research a recent Canadian news story to see if these rights are being upheld or challenged in practice.
Think-Pair-Share: What is Self-Determination?
Students read two different definitions of self-determination: one from a legal perspective and one from an Indigenous perspective. They discuss with a partner how these definitions differ and why the distinction matters for Indigenous sovereignty.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionIndigenous rights are 'special privileges' that other Canadians don't have.
What to Teach Instead
Indigenous rights are inherent rights based on their status as the original inhabitants of the land and are protected by treaties and the Constitution. Peer discussion about the difference between 'equality' and 'equity' helps students understand why these rights are a matter of justice, not privilege.
Common MisconceptionSelf-government means Indigenous communities want to leave Canada.
What to Teach Instead
Self-government is about having the authority to make decisions over their own affairs, such as education and health, within the Canadian federal framework. Using a 'jurisdiction map' activity helps students see how self-governance works alongside other levels of government.
Suggested Methodologies
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'self-determination' mean for Indigenous peoples?
What is UNDRIP?
How do land claims work in Canada?
How can active learning help students understand Indigenous self-determination?
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