Origins to 1608

Origins to 1608

Social Phenomenon:  Experience of Indigenous peoples and the colonization attempts

Students will describe what happened at the time of initial contact between the Indigenous peoples and Europeans (C1), and interpret "The experience of the Indigenous peoples and the colonization attempts" (C2).

Migrations, Indigenous Territories, Social Structures 

Original student texts, materials and student activities considering guiding questions like "Why do people move? and How does geography affect settlement?"  You will learn about the Asian migration theory, different Indigenous groups (language groups, nations, etc.) in the present-day territory of Quebec, and about differences in the ways of life and social structures of Indigenous groups.  Student site section is now here ➦

Featured section:
The Kanien'kehá:ka - Also a People of the St. Lawrence 

Various reference materials and documents  considering guiding questions like "What is the meaning of "traditional lands"?   Who writes our histories?  What makes a people a people?"  You will learn about  the land and the waters of the territory of the St. Lawrence lowland region; elements of the daily lives of the people who would have lived in the St. Lawrence lowland region; similarities and differences between the Kanienʼkehá꞉ka: (and other Haudenosaunee) and various other Laurentian-area peoples; and finally you will consider and explain various Kanien’kehà:ka perspectives on the so-called St. Lawrence Iroquoians.  Student site section is now here ➦

Spiritual Practices, Oral Tradition, Goods and Gifts

Original student texts, materials and student activities considering guiding questions like "What was life like before the arrival of the Europeans?"  You will learn about individuals involved in spiritual practices, the role of oral tradition in Indigenous societies, and also the importance of the sharing of goods and the giving of gifts.  Student site section is now here ➦

Chiefs, Council of Elders

Original student texts, materials and student activities considering guiding questions like "What was life like before the arrival of the Europeans?"  You will learn to "Identify the role of chiefs, to Explain the process for appointing chiefs, and to Explain the council of elders."   Student site section is now here➦

Economic activities, trade networks, waterways

Original student texts, materials and student activities considering guiding questions like "What was life like before the arrival of the Europeans?"  You will learn to "Know the economic activities practised by Indigenous peoples, Describe trade relationships, and Explain the importance of waterways."   Student site section is now here➦

Warfare and fate of prisoners

Original student texts, materials and student activities considering guiding questions like "What was life like before the arrival of the Europeans?"  You will learn to "To describe warfare amongst the indigenous groups." and "To explain the fate of prisoners."  

Student site section and document collections are under development here ➦

Exploration, fisheries, trade

Original student texts, materials and student activities considering guiding questions like "What happens when cultures collide?"  You will learn to "Explain the causes of European exploration in America; Describe the importance of fisheries and whale hunting; Name the products traded between indigenous peoples and Europeans; and Analyze indigenous perspectives on the arrival of the Europeans."  

Student site section and document collections are under development here ➦

Jacques Cartier & Charlesbourg-Royal

Original student texts, materials and student activities considering guiding questions like "Was Jacques Cartier a successful colonizer?  "  You will learn to "Explain the first voyages of Jacques Cartier; and to Judge the success of the settlement Charlesbourg-Royal  at Cap-Rouge."  

Student site section and document collections are under development here ➦

Rivalry and Alliances

Original student texts, materials and student activities considering guiding questions like "What happens when cultures collide?"  You will learn to "Identify the objects of rivalry between indigenous groups; and Explain the consequences of the system of alliances."  

Student site section and document collections are under development here ➦

Colonization Attempts and the 1603 Alliance

Original student texts, materials and student activities considering guiding questions like "What was life like before the arrival of the Europeans?"  You will learn to "Identify other French colonization attempts; and Explain the significance of the alliance between the French and indigenous people in 1603."  

Student site section and document collections are under development here ➦

Secondary 3 

Note that student texts, resources and activities for Secondary 3 are being updated and moved here, where they will appear throughout the year. 

See also available RECITUS tasks and document collections:

Indigenous territory before the arrival of Europeans  Go to site

The Society of the Iroquoians  Go to site

The Algonquian Society  Go to site

Extra:  A Historical Discussion!

The Historical Discussion game can be a good way to review content covered in the sections above.

Use this slide show developed by the RECIT en univers social to help students discuss various themes associated with the Conquest and Change of Empire!

Historical discussion - Indigenous nations of northeastern North America