First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies · Grade 9 · Contemporary Realities and Resistance · 3.º Período

Social Justice and Advocacy Movements

Exploring modern Indigenous-led movements such as Idle No More and advocacy for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

TL;DR:Indigenous advocacy in Canada is a powerful force for social change. This topic focuses on modern movements like Idle No More and the advocacy surrounding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Students will investigate the root causes of these issues, including systemic racism and the legacy of colonial policies, while also celebrating the leadership and creativity of Indigenous activists. This aligns with Ontario standards by examining how Indigenous peoples advocate for their rights and well-being in a contemporary context.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• NAC1O C2.1
• NAC1O C2.2

About This Topic

Indigenous advocacy in Canada is a powerful force for social change. This topic focuses on modern movements like Idle No More and the advocacy surrounding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Students will investigate the root causes of these issues, including systemic racism and the legacy of colonial policies, while also celebrating the leadership and creativity of Indigenous activists. This aligns with Ontario standards by examining how Indigenous peoples advocate for their rights and well-being in a contemporary context.

Students will explore how social media, grassroots organizing, and youth-led initiatives have brought Indigenous issues to the national stage. By analyzing the 'Calls for Justice' from the MMIWG inquiry, students learn about the specific actions needed to ensure safety and equity. This topic is highly effective when students engage in a collaborative investigation of a specific movement, allowing them to see the power of collective action and the importance of allyship.

Key Questions

1. What are the root causes of the MMIWG crisis?
2. How has Idle No More mobilized Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples?
3. What role does youth activism play in contemporary advocacy?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Indigenous protests are just about 'complaining' or causing disruption.

What to Teach Instead

Movements like Idle No More are about protecting land, water, and treaty rights for all Canadians. Investigating the specific goals of these movements helps students see them as proactive efforts to ensure a sustainable and just future.

Common Misconception

The MMIWG crisis is only an 'Indigenous issue.'

What to Teach Instead

This is a national human rights crisis rooted in systemic failures that affect all of Canada. Analyzing the 'Calls for Justice' helps students understand that solving this crisis requires changes in policing, healthcare, and social services across the country.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

The Power of a Movement

Small groups research a specific movement (e.g., Idle No More, the Moose Hide Campaign, or Jordan's Principle). They create a digital timeline of the movement's key events and evaluate its impact on Canadian policy and public awareness.

60 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk

The Red Dress Project

Students view images and read about the REDress Project by Jaime Black. They discuss in small groups how art can be used as a form of advocacy to raise awareness for MMIWG and brainstorm other creative ways to bring attention to social justice issues.

40 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share

Youth Activism

Students watch a short clip of an Indigenous youth activist (e.g., Autumn Peltier). They reflect on the unique role youth play in advocacy and discuss with a partner one issue in their own community they feel passionate about changing.

20 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'Idle No More' movement?

Idle No More is a grassroots movement that began in 2012 in response to proposed government legislation that threatened environmental protections and Indigenous sovereignty. It used social media and flash-mob round dances in malls and public spaces to raise awareness, becoming one of the largest Indigenous mass-mobilizations in Canadian history.

What is the MMIWG National Inquiry?

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was established to investigate the systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Its final report concluded that this violence constitutes a 'national genocide' and provided 231 Calls for Justice to address the issue.

How can youth get involved in Indigenous advocacy?

Youth can support Indigenous-led movements by educating themselves, participating in awareness campaigns (like Orange Shirt Day or Moose Hide Campaign), and using their voices to advocate for policy changes. Many Indigenous youth leaders, like water protector Autumn Peltier, serve as powerful examples of how young people can drive national conversations.

How can active learning help students understand social justice movements?

Social justice can feel overwhelming or purely political. Active learning, like a collaborative investigation into a specific movement, allows students to see the 'human' side of advocacy. By tracing the story of a movement from a single tweet or a small group of friends to a national phenomenon, students realize that change is possible and that they have a role to play in it.