Page 246 - THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 9 to 12 | First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies

THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 9–12 | First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies
STRANDS
This course has four strands. Strand A, Political Inquiry and Skill Development, is followed by three content strands, which are organized thematically. The four strands are as follows:
A. Political Inquiry and Skill Development
Students learn how to use the political inquiry process and the concepts of political thinking to guide their investigations of events, developments, issues, and ideas. Students constantly apply the skills and approaches included in strand A as they work to achieve the expectations in the content strands.
B. Indigenous Peoples and Perspectives
Students develop an understanding and appreciation of the global diversity of Indigenous peoples, and of the factors influencing how Indigenous identities are defined, affirmed, or denied. By exploring the deep connections between Indigenous peoples and the land, students learn to acknowledge the consequences of displacing Indigenous communities from their traditional territories. Students also examine the role of Indigenous knowledge and oral traditions in sustaining Indigenous cultures and beliefs.
C. Global Trends and Cultural Survival
Students investigate a variety of contemporary economic, social, technological, and political trends to determine how they are related to the cultural survival of Indigenous peoples around the world. Students explore issues related to human rights, social justice, and self-determination. They analyse the balance of power in a variety of interactions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups to deepen their understanding of the connections between political power and cultural survival, as well as the key role of sovereignty/self-governance in sustaining Indigenous cultures.
D. Legal, Political, and Social Action
Students learn about the ways in which the rights of Indigenous peoples around the world are defined, recognized, or obstructed in the judicial, political, and social arenas. They examine the roles and responsibilities of international/regional legal bodies, and of national governments and judiciaries, in implementing measures to uphold Indigenous rights. Students also develop an understanding of the influence of education, social action, and leadership on the promotion of Indigenous rights, aspirations, and perspectives in a global context.
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