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Examining climate change with an Indigenous traditional speech -- the Thanksgiving Address

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About This Lesson

Resource: The changing river

Description

Media (9 mins)The St. Lawrence River—home to the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne—is an essential waterway, playing an important role from transportation to fishing. Human development has dramatically reshaped the river's shores and habitats, impacting the growth of species like the lake sturgeon, a culturally significant species for the Akwesasronon. Sturgeon in the Akwesasne area were once so big, people called them "river monsters!” But local fishers have noticed worrying trends in the size of these awesome fish. Lexy and Maegan set out to learn more about how the river is changing, and how habitat restoration can help native species like the sturgeon.

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Activity (1 hr 15 mins): Reflection: Students learn about the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, a traditional speech of gratitude made by Haudenosaunee people that honours and acknowledges all aspects of life. Then they research and reflect on how climate change may affect one of the natural elements or aspects mentioned in the Address such as water, fish, or food plants.

  • Want another format? We offer a Google Slides version of the activity, a Microsoft Powerpoint version of the activity, and a PDF version of the activity on the Ocean School website.

About Ocean School

This is a free educational resource from the Canadian Government about the ocean, through the Ocean Frontier Institute at Dalhousie University and the National Film Board of Canada. Ocean School provides media-rich, ocean-based resources in multiple subjects for students in grades 5–12. Created by educators, scientists and storytellers, these interactive learning materials help students understand our influence on the ocean and the ocean’s influence on us. Ocean School is ad-free and requires no login for teacher or student.

Available in French

Check out the Resources tab for the French activity sheets and media. Or check out the French Ocean School page.

Please note: Ocean School activities are not stand-alone lessons (they do not cover all aspects of one topic or subject) but instead supplement learning through dynamic and engaging experiences.

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  • This Ocean School activity is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed.
  • This Ocean School piece of media is not creative commons. 

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