Materials required: logbook, paper
In 1989, a historic summit took place between the Elders of the twenty-nine Mi’kmaw communities, representing over 18,000 people in the four Atlantic Provinces and Québec. It was the first time since 1776 that so many of these communities had come together. Although the Wolastiqewiyik and Passamaquoddy were not there, the declaration could have been similar if they had. What came out of this summit was a Declaration of Mi’kmaq Nation Rights. It included:
- Right to self-determination – (Deciding one’s own future)
- Right to sovereignty – (Independent political authority — make one’s own laws)
- Right to self-government – (Controlling one’s own affairs)
- Children have the right to be brought up in the knowledge of their language, history, and culture
- Right to share the national, economic, and financial resources of the land called Canada
Put these on the board. Have students imagine that they were attending this conference and they are coming to the end of the conference and must make decisions. Have the class divide into five groups and have them make up a statement for one of these resolutions under each heading. Print this underneath and call the whole piece “Our Class’s Indigenous Declaration”. For continuity’s sake have each phrase start with “We will” for each of these points. For example: “We will learn our own language and history.” Decorate like the Mascarene Poster and hang it in your classroom. If possible, read it over your PA system in your school.
