Workbook 9 Activity 2

Activity 2: Aboriginal Rights

Get Focused

In Unit 1, you learned about point of view and perspective. Review these terns from your Issues for Canadians Definitions page if you need a reminder. Historically, when collectives such as First Nations and Europeans met and interacted, each brought its own points of view, perspectives, and values. At times, this has caused both conflict and greater understandings as the collectives expressed themselves.

As the Crown, or government of Canada, negotiated treaties with the various First Nations, both groups defined their relationship with each other and their respective collective rights. This continues today as modern-day treaties are being negotiated in parts of Canada where these relationships were not agreed upon formally.

Think about what you believe is human beings' place in the environment.

Aboriginal groups believe traditionally that humans are but one part of the whole.

The early French and English explorers and settlers to North America would likely have seen the world as having humans on top. Humans are more intelligent and stronger than everything, as identified in the pyramid. As colonizers of a new world, Europeans seem to have held that view of themselves.


Write in your notes about where you think humans fit into the environment,  and save them to your Activities folder.


In this activity, you will examine this question:

How do laws recognize the status of Aboriginal peoples of Canada?