Introduction to Indigenous Canada- ESL Reading Package

Are you introducing the topic of Indigenous Canadians to ESL students?

ESL students, international students and offshore Canadian school students often have very little background in this topic. Nevertheless, Indigenous issues are (finally & rightfully) central in Canadian cultural, political, and historical studies. For an international or ESL teacher, it is often difficult to know where to start. This package is designed to give a gentle and respectful introduction to the topic of Indigenous Canadians.

PDF Booklet and Microsoft Word Version included: The main product is a colourful and carefully edited PDF booklet. I have included a Microsoft Word "basic" version of the reading and exercises so that you can modify the text or add it to other documents.

The intended take-aways from this package are:

• Indigenous Canadians have diverse, complex societies
• Indigenous Canadian cultures and lifestyles are related to Canada's massive Geography
• Indigenous Canada is broadly divided into three groups: First Nations, Métis and Inuit.
• Within the three broad groups, there are many different languages and cultures.
• Indigenous Canadians were, and still are, negatively impacted by colonization.
• Indigenous Canadians have struggled with resilience to overcome problems.

This package includes the following:

• Maps & Mapping Activities - Provinces & Territories, Capital Cities & Environment Zones
• ESL Levelled Reading: Canadian Indigenous People are Diverse (578 Words, Grade 7 level of difficulty)
• Illustrated Glossary for words found in the Levelled Reading
• Vocabulary Exercises: Multiple Choice, Written Response & Crossword Puzzle
• Reading Comprehension - Multiple Choice
• Reading Comprehension - Paragraph Response & Scoring Rubric

This package would be useful for:

• An introductory lesson in middle or high school Social Studies or Canadian History.
• An introductory lesson for discussions of Orange Shirt Day or Truth and Reconciliation Day.
• Helping international students develop an understanding of Canadian society and demographics.