Overview
In this LE, learners will have an opportunity to read the 1725–28 and 1760–63 treaties. Using their new or deeper understanding of one of the documents, learners will write a brief text or an email to a friend or family member. Class discussion will allow learners to consolidate their understanding of the treaty promises and to identify how the Covenant Chain grew over time.
Learners will...
- Be exposed to the content of the 1725-28, and 1760-63 treaties.
- Experience the language, graphics and nature of the treaty documents.
- Consider carefully what the most important parts of the treaties are.
- Utilize their reading comprehension skills to determine what should be shared with others about the treaties.
- Understand that the treaties anchor the relationships between the Mi’kmaq and the British.
Focus
Learners will work in pairs or small groups to read the 1725-28 and the 1760-63 treaty texts, provided in the supplementary materials. After working together to understand their document, the groups will come together to discuss the similarities and differences in the two treaty texts, and to consolidate their understanding of the most important parts of the treaties.
Learners should then work individually on a text or an email to a family member or friend. The messages should tell the recipient three things about Mi’kmaw treaties. They could be encouraged to include an important quote from the document as well, which may help them identify key sections of the treaty texts. Educators could also consider the kinds of social media platforms learners are using and adapt this LE to fit how learners are communicating on these platforms. (e.g., creating short videos, graphics for sharing)
PE!
It is important that learners have a clear understanding of the following content:
- The Mi’kmaq as the indigenous people of Nova Scotia and the Atlantic region.
- Mi’kma’kik as the ancestral homeland of the Mi’kmaq.
- The concept of netukulimk and msɨt no’kmaq. (See LE F4)
- What a treaty is. (See LE T1, T2, T3)
Teacher Tip
Without modification, this LE is recommended for older learners. The original treaty texts are complicated historical documents with language that can be difficult to navigate. To support engagement with the texts, an educators’ guide identifying the key focus points of each treaty has been provided, along with recommendations for scaling the activity for younger participants. The introduction to the Treaty-Making section will also be helpful.
It is important to note that learners are not being asked to engage with the complexities of British legal documents here. The central goal of this LE is to help learners identify how the relationship between the Mi’kmaq and the British comes through in the treaty texts themselves.
LE Materials
COMING SOON!
Additional Resources
See the introduction to the Treaty- Making section, as well as the general introduction to the resource.
Website: Sister Dorothy Moore L’nu Resource Centre, “Treaties”
Website: Nova Scotia Archives, “Peace and Friendship Treaties at the Nova Scotia Archives”
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