Contemporary Indigenous Issues
Culminating Activity
NDW4M Culminating Activity.docx Contemporary Indigenous Issues Culminating Activity Preamble: There is a tradition of prophecies (stories of wisdom which are seen by many to predict the future events which will occur in our world) in many cultures around the world. The Seven Fires Prophecies of the Anishinabe people will act as inspiration for your culminating activity. “The Seven Fires Prophecies of the Anishinabe was envisioned many many moons ago, yet offers us great insight into both the wisdom of the Ojibwe people as well as offers a solution to our current environmental, social, and spiritual crises.” (http://www.spiritofthe8thfire.com/the-prophecy.html) Background Knowledge: The Seven Fires 1. The First Fire hails back to perhaps thousands of years, when the people could not imagine life changing in any way. The prophets knew that the people would not be safe unless their wisdom and their very lives were protected by moving inland away from the Eastern shores of North America. The sacred shell (megis) was found on what is now called Madeline Island in Lake Superior. 2. The Second Fire states that "You will know the Second Fire because at this time the nation will be camped by a large body of water. In this time the direction of the Sacred Shell will be lost. The Midewiwin will diminish in strength, a boy will be born to point the way back to the traditional ways. He will show the direction to the stepping stones to the future of the Anishinabe people." 3. The Third Fire talks about how the Anishinabe will find the path to their chosen ground, a land in the west to which they must move their families. This will be the land where food grows on water." The land where food grows on water refers to the land around the Great Lakes where wild rice grew plentifully. The Anishinabe people devised creative ways to harvest the rice using their birch bark canoes to move through the rice without damaging it. 4. The Fourth Fire was originally given to the people by two prophets. They come together as one teaching; tells of the coming of the Light Skinned race. One of the prophets said, "You will know the future of our people by the face the Light Skinned race wears. If they come wearing the face of brotherhood then there will come a time of wonderful change for generations to come. They will bring new knowledge and articles that can be joined with the knowledge of this country, in this way, two nations will join to make a mighty nation. This new nation http://www.spiritofthe8thfire.com/the-prophecy.html will be joined by two more so that four will form the mightiest nation of all. You will know the face of the brotherhood if the light skinned race comes carrying no weapons. If they come bearing only their knowledge and a hand shake." "The other prophet said," Beware if the Light Skinned race comes wearing the face of death. You must be careful because the face of brotherhood and the face of death look very much alike. If they come carrying a weapon...beware. If they come in suffering... They could fool you. Their hearts may be filled with greed for the riches of this land. If they are indeed your brothers, let them prove it. Do not accept them in total trust. You shall know that the face they wear is one of death if the rivers run with poison and the fish become unfit to eat. You shall know them by these many things." (http://www.spiritofthe8thfire.com/the-prophecy.html) 5. The Fifth Fire predicted that there will come a time of great struggle that will grip the lives of all Indigenous people. There will come among the people one who holds a promise of great joy and salvation. If the people accept this promise of a new way and abandon the old teachings, then the struggle of the Fifth Fire will be with the people for many generations. The promise that comes will prove to be a false promise. All those who accept this promise will cause the near destruction of the people." This part of the prophecy refers to the coming of the missionaries and the trader- merchants who set up a system of barter and trade, and began recruiting souls to organized Christianity. 6. The Sixth Fire prophet said, "In the time of the Sixth Fire it will be evident that the promise of the Fifth Fire came in a false way. Those deceived by this promise will take their children away from the teachings of the elders, grandsons and grand-daughters will turn against the elders. In this way, the elders will lose their reason for living... they will lose their purpose in life. At this time a new sickness will come among the people. The balance of many people will be disturbed. This prophecy talks about the influence of marginalization, segregation, the opening of boarding schools and the bastardization of the traditional Anishinabe ways. Even language and cultural everyday practices were considered suspects. Young children were brutalized for doing anything that came naturally to them. 7. The Seventh Fire Prophet that came to the people long ago was said to be different from the other prophets. He was young and had a strange light in his eyes. He said, “In the time of the Seventh Fire, New People will emerge. They will retrace their steps to find what was left by the trail. Their steps will take them to the elders who they will ask to guide them on their journey. But many of the elders will have fallen asleep. They will awaken to this new time with nothing to offer. Some of the elders will be silent out of fear. Some of the elders will be silent because no one will ask anything of them. The New People will have to be careful in how they approach the elders. The task of the New People will not be easy." "It is at this time that the Light Skinned race will be given a choice between two roads. If they choose the right road, then the Seventh Fire will light the Eighth and final Fire, an eternal Fire of peace, love, brotherhood and sisterhood. If the light skinned race makes the wrong choice of roads, the destruction which they brought with them in coming to this country will come back at them and cause much suffering and death to all the Earth's people.” (http://www.spiritofthe8thfire.com/the-prophecy.html) http://www.spiritofthe8thfire.com/the-prophecy.html http://www.spiritofthe8thfire.com/the-prophecy.html It is this last quote by the Seventh Fire Prophet which has acted as the inspiration for your culminating project. Your goal is to create a project of your own design that is meant to “build a bridge” that will guide all non Indigenous people in this country to take the right path, the path that will lead to peace among all people in this country. You are to create either a visual, multimedia, or written piece which describes what needs to be done to lead all people in a country of your choice on the right path to work together and end the legacy of colonization for the Indigenous group. You should try to address all of the topics discussed in class this quad as well as any additional knowledge that you have gained on your own research. Topics discussed in class in case you forgot: ● Issues of identity (stereotypes, lack of cultural knowledge, etc.) ● Cultural practices ● Legalized racist practices ● Land claims ● Education Requirements: -All rough notes/rough drafts -List of sources/citations (if additional research was done) -Final Product Rubric Categories Not achieved Level 1 50-59% Level 2 60-69% Level 3 70-79% Level 4 80-89% Level 4+ 90-100% Knowledge and Understanding There is no clear understanding of the topics covered in class Student can not identify the causes that are hidden from view Student is beginning illustrate the understanding of the topics covered in class and what they mean for the Indigenous community both past and present. Student can identify the causes that are hidden from view and discuss if change always means progress. Student can clearly illustrate the understanding some of the topics covered in class and what they mean for the Indigenous community both past and present. Student can identify some of the causes that are hidden from view and discuss if change always means progress. Student can clearly illustrate the understanding of the topics covered in class and what they mean for the Indigenous community both past and present. Student can identify the causes that are hidden from view and discuss if change always means progress. Student can clearly and accurately illustrate the understanding of the topics covered in class and what they mean for the Indigenous community both past and present. Student can identify the causes that are hidden from view and discuss if change always means progress. In an effective manner Student can clearly illustrate the understanding of the topics covered in class and what they mean for the Indigenous community both past and present, and successfully analyses them Student can identify the causes that are hidden from view and discuss if change always means progress In a highly effective manner. Thinking and Inquiry There are no personal Student is beginning to make personal Student can make personal Student can make Student can make highly successful Student can make extremely successful connections made to the topics studied in class There is no attempt to decide what and whose stories to tell and discuss what the historical injustices mean for us today connections to the topics studied in class. Student is beginning to decide what and whose stories to tell and discuss what the historical injustices mean for us today connections to the topics studied in class with some success Student can decide what and whose stories to tell and discuss what the historical injustices mean for us today with some success personal connections to the topics studied in class. Student can decide what and whose stories to tell and discuss what the historical injustices mean for us today personal connections to the topics studied in class. Student can decide what and whose stories to tell and discuss what the historical injustices mean for us today in a highly successful manner personal connections to the topics studied in class. Student can decide what and whose stories to tell and discuss what the historical injustices mean for us today in an extremely successful manner. Communication There are no examples or life experiences given There are many mechanical errors that distract the reader from the content Student supports their project with a few examples and real life experiences. most sentences are well constructed, There are many errors in grammar or spelling errors that occasionally distract the reader from the content Student supports their project with a some examples and real life experiences. sentences are well constructed, There are some errors in grammar or spelling errors that occasionally distract the reader from the content Student supports their project with examples and real life experiences. All sentences are well constructed, grammar or spelling errors do not distract the reader from the content Student supports their project with quite a few examples and real life experiences. All sentences are well constructed, grammar or spelling errors do not distract the reader from the content Student supports their project with a larger than expected number examples and real life experiences. All sentences are well constructed, grammar or spelling errors do not distract the reader from the content Application No notes and rough work was submitted The product is not attractive, neat or visually appealing there is not original thought or creativity no notes and rough work is submitted Presentation of product is attractive, neat, and visually interesting to the reader/viewer with some success Product demonstrates little original thought/creativity Most notes and rough work is submitted Presentation of product is relatively attractive, neat, and visually interesting to the reader/viewer Product demonstrates some original thought/creativity All notes and rough work is submitted Presentation of product is attractive, neat, and visually interesting to the reader/viewer Product demonstrates original thought/creativity All notes and rough work is submitted Presentation of product is attractive, neat, and visually interesting to the reader/viewer with a high degree of success Product demonstrates a great deal of original thought/creativity All notes and rough work is submitted Presentation of product is attractive, neat, and visually interesting to the reader/viewer and goes beyond expectations Product demonstrates original thought/creativity beyond expectations Grade