Rove Around the World with Scouts.

Canada is a land shared by many people and has a long history. Some people have recently immigrated to the country, some people have lived here for generations and some people can trace their ancestry back to the first people on the land.

As an organization, we are going through our own journey towards Reconciliation. We are beginning our responsibility in this journey by learning about Indigenous communities and listening to their stories.

Let’s start at the beginning—understanding the power of listening and conversation. Do you know what these terms mean?

Indigenous—The preferred collective noun used by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; it is also used at the international level for the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous comes from the Latin word indigena, which means “sprung from the land; native.”

Navigating terms can be confusing at first, but where the word comes from can say a lot about whether it is an appropriate noun to use. Did the term originate from a community (is it a word they use to self-identify), or did it come from an outside source (something that they are called by others)?

For example, terms like Aboriginal, which comes from Section 35 (2) of the Constitution Act, 1982, is not preferred by most Indigenous Canadians and some may even find it offensive. The prefix Ab means “away from” or “not”; ‘aboriginal’ actually means “not original”.

Names are important to everyone; they reflect our identity, our history, and even our community. Calling people and communities by the name(s) they give themselves is a helpful way to re-frame our language and expand our way of thinking.

First Nations—Indigenous peoples who are neither Métis nor Inuit and come from specific original Nations. These communities are distinctive nations, such as: Cree, Assiniboine, Haida, Ojibwa, Tsuut.na, etc. Find out which people are close to you by searching online.

Métis—Métis are people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, and one of the three recognized Indigenous groups in Canada. The Métis Nation originated largely in western Canada and emerged as a political force in the 19th century, radiating outwards from the Red River Settlement.

Inuit—Indigenous people living in northern Canada, mainly in: Nunavut, Northwest Territories, northern Quebec and Labrador.

As a next step, consider going outside (dependent on weather) and exploring your area: 

• What is the name of your current community? Where does the name come from?
• What is the Indigenous name for your community or region? Where can you find that information?
• What are some other names in your community/parks? Where do those names come from? Do any of them have Indigenous names?
• What is the correct way to pronounce Indigenous names in your area?
• What landmarks are close by that you can visit?
• You are likely meeting with your Group or Section on a traditional territory of Indigenous peoples.
• What community or communities does this territory connect to?
• Are you a part of a numbered treaty? What are treaties?

Supplies Needed:

• Optional: Community Map
• Circular Object

Safety Tips

Safety is not just for physical concerns—our mental and emotional safety is equally as important. You may find that some portions of this week’s activity, like the discussions, are difficult and/or distressing. Take the time to listen to your emotions and reach out for support to a parent, trusted friend or Kids Help Phone if need be.

Virtual Meetings

As this is a discussion-based activity, it can easily be done as an online meeting. If you can’t get out to explore your community as a Section, share your screen and use Google Maps to get the same effect.

Resources

• First Nation Child and Family Caring Society
• What is ‘Indigenous’?
• What is Reconciliation and What it is not?
• Medicine Wheel Publishing
• Find these great books:
  • The Eagle Feather, Kevin Locke
  • The Hoop Dancer’s Teachings, Teddy Anderson
  • Trudy’s Healing Stone, Trudy Spiller
  • The Circle of Caring and Sharing, Theresa “Corky” Larsen-Jonasson
  • Gift From the Raven, Kung Jaadee
  • Phyllis’s Orange Shirt, Phyllis Webstad
• Terminology Guide
• Terminology Guide for Usage
• Treaty
• Treaties

Review

• What did you learn from this activity?
• Why is supporting all Indigenous children and peoples important?
• What will you do next to keep learning more?

Explore SDGs

Other activities to explore the SDGs (through the Scouts for Sustainability program)

SDG #10—Reduced Inequalities:

• Get that Lingo
• Where Do your Relatives Live?

• Listen to or read Spirit Bear’s story or watch the video by Cindy Blackstock to learn about how you can help make a difference in the lives of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit children. You can also choose a different story by an Indigenous author that interests you.
• Learn about Turtle Island with this video.

• Take steps to Find Our Place in Reconciliation. As Scouts, this is a first step in starting our long-term learning journey about who we are, what’s happening around us, and our responsibility to contribute to Reconciliation.