First People’s Perspectives on Gender

Overview

In this lesson, students will explore Indigenous perspectives of gender, and contrast these to European beliefs. Students will also consider the impact of these colonial ideas about gender on Indigenous people and communities.

Curriculum References

Social Studies, 10

• Big Ideas: World views lead to different perspectives and ideas about developments in Canadian society.
• Curricular Competencies: Compare and contrast continuities and changes for different groups during this period (continuity and change). Explain and infer different perspectives on past or present people, places, issues, or events by considering prevailing norms, values, world views, and beliefs (perspective).
• Content: Discriminatory policies and injustices in Canada and the world.

BC First Peoples, 11

• Big Ideas: The impact of contact and colonialism continues to affect the political, social, and economic lives of BC First Peoples.
• Curricular Competencies: Compare and contrast continuities and changes for different groups in different time periods and places (continuity and change). Explain different perspectives on past or present people, places, issues, and events, and distinguish between world views of today and the past (perspective).
• Content: Impact of historical exchanges of ideas, practices, and materials among local BC First Peoples and with non-Indigenous peoples.

Contemporary Indigenous Studies, 12

• Big Ideas: Indigenous peoples are reclaiming mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being despite the continuing effects of colonialism.
• Curricular Competencies: Compare and contrast continuities and changes for different groups in different time periods and places (continuity and change). Explain different perspectives on past or present people, places, issues, and events, and distinguish between world views of today and the past (perspective).
• Content: The varied identities and world views of Indigenous peoples, and the importance of the interconnection of family, relationships, language, culture, and the land. Factors that sustain and challenge the identities and world views of Indigenous peoples.

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