Page 183 - THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 9 AND 10 | Canadian and World Studies

citizenship. An understanding of the rights
of citizens within various communities (local, national, and global), and of the roles, respon- sibilities, and actions associated with these rights.
civics. A branch of politics that focuses on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. See also citizenship.
clan. A system of kinship or extended family used by various First Nations peoples. Clans are usually represented by mammals, birds, or fish that signify each clan’s unique roles and respon- sibilities in the community. Clans can be either matrilineal or patrilineal.
clan mother. In a matrilineal system, the female head of a clan/family, a role that is passed down hereditarily. The clan mother has the right to nominate the candidate who will replace the chief when he dies, as well as to remove the chief’s authority if his actions do not support the welfare of the clan. The clan mother possesses cultural knowledge and commitment to her nation.
climate. The average weather conditions of an area over an extended period of time. See also weather.
climate change. A significant change in the average state of Earth’s climate that persists for several decades or more. It can be caused either by natural factors or by human activities that al- ter the composition of the atmosphere or change major characteristics of the land surface, as when forests are replaced by farmland. Climate change can affect a number of weather charac- teristics, such as temperature, precipitation,
and wind patterns, as well as the occurrence
of severe weather.
climate graph. A graph that combines average monthly temperature (presented as a line graph) and precipitation data (presented as a bar graph) for a particular place.
clustered settlement pattern. A closely spaced grouping of houses, towns, or villages.
colonialism. The policy of establishing political control by one nation over another nation or region, sending settlers to claim the land from the original inhabitants, and taking its resources. It is a philosophy of domination, which involves the subjugation of one or more groups of people to another. See also colonization; imperialism.
colonization. The process in which a foreign power invades and dominates a territory or land base inhabited by indigenous peoples by establishing a colony and imposing its own social, cultural, religious, economic, and political systems and values. A colonized region is called a colony. See also colonialism.
command economy. An economic system in which the government owns and controls all facets of the economy. See also economic system.
commodity. A good or service purchased or used by consumers.
common good. The well-being of all or most
of the people in a community or society as well as of components of the natural environment. Factors such as peace, justice, economic fairness, and respect for human rights and the environment contribute to the common good.
community/communities. A group of people who have shared histories, culture, beliefs, and/or values. Communities can also be identified on the basis of shared space, ethnicity, religion, and/or socio-economic status. A person may belong to more than one community (e.g., a school community, town, ethnic group, nation, etc.).
Confederation. The federal union of all the Canadian provinces and territories.
constitution.* A set of rules that define the political principles, the institutions, the powers, and the responsibilities of a state. The Canadian Constitution is made up of three elements: written constitution, legislation, and unwritten constitution (rules of common law and conven- tions). See also Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; constitutional convention.
GLOSSARY
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