Did you know that March 22nd is World Water Day? This day is about sharing what water means to people all over the world.
In Canada and all over North America, Indigenous people are leading the fight to protect the water from pollution. They are also fighting for access to clean water in their communities; something that many of us take for granted.
Have you had this conversation with your students?
Reading together these beautiful and informative books, found in all LKDSB schools, are a way to introduce and share the stories of water protectors.
The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson:
Read a blog post about this book here:
http://lkelempro.blogspot.com/2019/01/resource-review-water-walker.html
We are Water Protectors by Carol Lindstrom:
Book Review:
After reading the books The Water Walker and We are Water Protectors, consider making connections to the Visual Arts curriculum by taking a look at the artworks of Christie Belcourt and Isaac Murdoch.
ISAAC MURDOCH & CHRISTI BELCOURT BANNERS
Invite your students to create their own works of art in their own styles to share about the importance of water.
(To read more about appropriately using the works of Indigenous artists, read this blog post: http://lkelempro.blogspot.com/2020/01/how-can-i-incorporate-indigenous-art-in.html )
Extend the learning by encouraging students to creatively share their voice and perspective.
create videos,
audio recordings,
write songs,
make art pieces or
slide shows
Share it! Empower others to protect the water and to learn what people need to and can do to keep water safe and clean for all living things.
Learning about this activism and having conversations about water in Canada connects to the Science and Social Studies/ History/Geography curriculums.
These resources might help your students learn more.
Clean Drinking Water in First Nations
The issue of clean drinking water in First Nations has been in the news a lot in recent years. One of Justin Trudeau’s promises as Prime Minister was to have all drinking water issues in First Nations solved by 2021.
This website tracks how that is coming along: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1506514143353/1533317130660
These are some news reports about water issues in First Nations:
Neskantaga First Nation water crisis shows 'apartheid system' of clean water access, NDP MPP says
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/neskantaga-water-apartheid-1.5777446
Promises of Clean Water Broken:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOQPDn_UVO8
Trudeau won’t commit to ending boil-water advisories on First Nations by 2021
https://globalnews.ca/news/7416559/trudeau-boil-water-advisories-first-nations-2021/
Here are some videos of amazing role model and water protector Autumn Pelltier:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg60sr38oic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqdE_7OZaqE
Podcast
The Secret Life of Canada: Water
DISCLAIMER: This podcast has a bit of “mature language”.
Please listen to it first to decide if it is right for your students.
This is an awesome slideshow to accompany this podcast. It teaches about the history of Indigenous trade routes along the waterways, drinking water advisories,
This podcast can lead to so many awesome conventions and opportunities for exploring maps!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gCCL9ZWS_tvQTZb7KwHuiYgubrRdYbYrylUnEnQZBSQ/edit?usp=sharing
Where to next?
Use March 22nd, World Water Day as a jumping off point. Learning about water, water protectors, water issues in First Nations communities connects to many MANY areas of the curriculum. This learning can take place throughout the school year, not just around World Water Day.
Embedding these important stories in your Science, Social Studies, History and Geography, Language Arts and Math classes shows that Indigenous voices have value in all areas of the curriculum.
As always, please share what you and your students come up with! Tag me on twitter if you are sharing there: @MsGambleLKDSB or send me an email: gretchen.sands-Gamble@lkdsb.net
Miigwech!!
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