Author Description

Aboriginal Peoples in Canada is the 2011 textbook written for the Ontario Ministry of Education's Native Studies Grade 10 course (NAC20). Co-published by Pearson Education Canada and GoodMinds.com, this student text utilized a collaborative process involving First Nations, Inuit, Métis and non-Aboriginal teachers, cultural consultants, advisors, language consultants, artists, editors, and writers. Senior writer is Kevin Reed, and the author team includes Mary Joy Elijah, Keith Lickers, Neal McLeod, and Natasha Beeds. The result is a 416-page student history book that is informative, respectful, and engaging in its format and content. The 14 chapters are organized into 4 key units: Identities and Cultures; The Land; Governance; and Communities. Each unit contains a 2-page opening spread, and a unit performance task. As a history text the book introduces students to the six Historical Thinking Concepts of the historical inquiry process: Significance; Evidence; Patterns and Change; Cause and Consequence; Perspectives; and Judgements. Each chapter contains Features such as Voices of the Peoples; Connections; Inquiring Minds; Timelines; Words Matter; Thinking It Through; Reflection boxes; Case Studies; Building Your Skills; and Web Connects. Numerous colour photographs, maps, charts assist students in their learning about the histories and cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada. Specific topics include residential schools, health and child welfare, family roles and responsibilities, economic development, the Indian Act, land rights, Oka, Caledonia, Stoney Point, modern treaties, Treaty 3, youth, languages, Elders, and leadership. The text includes a helpful glossary of terms, pronunciation guide, index, and opening and closing prayers, greetings and farewells in several Indigenous languages.