Workbook 9

Activity 1: Importance of Collective Rights

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First Nations and Inuit were the original peoples living in North America long before Canada was discovered by Europeans. First Nations and Inuit have always had and continue to have distinct cultures, societies, and languages. Before colonization, their territories encompassed most of Canada.

Colonization began when explorers were sent to discover and settle territory for countries such as France, England, and Spain. Jacques Cartier and John Cabot were the first to lay claim to land in North America.

The Francophone population in Canada began with the early exploration of North America in the late 1500s and early 1600s and the establishment of the first French settlements in Acadia and along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec.

Today, Canada's Francophone population lives throughout Canada.

Click on the link below to see Canada's Francophone population. The statistics in this map are based on the 2011 census.

https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/geo/map-carte/pdf/thematic/LANG/2011-98313-004-001-003-16-eng.pdf


Anglophone contact began with John Cabot's discovery of Newfoundland in 1497. Early English settlements began to develop in Newfoundland and along the south-eastern coast of present-day United States.

Understanding the history of these three significant founding groups of people is helpful. Each group contributed to the country Canada is today.

How does Canada recognize the contributions of these founding peoples today? Why is this recognition important? If possible, discuss these questions with a learning partner or family member.

Record your ideas in a paragraph or graphic organizer of your choice.

Save your paragraph or graphic organizer to your Activities folder.

In this activity, you will examine this inquiry question:

Why are collective rights important to all Canadians?

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