Overview
In this LE, learners are asked to think carefully about war and peace in very general terms. This is important because it lays the groundwork for learners to understand why the Mi’kmaq chose peace through treaties in the 18th century and emphasizes the diplomatic nature of Mi’kmaw-British treaties.
Learners will...
- Consider the why and when nations choose peace due to safety, economic growth, protection of ecosystems, and other reasons.
- Consider why and when nations choose war due to aggression, principles or other factors.
- Strengthen their understanding of the role treaties play in creating stability and security.
- Understand that when there is conflict there are consequences for choosing peace or war.
- Grow the broader context for why the British and Mi’kmaq might have sought treaties as a means to peace in the 18th century.
Focus
This Learning Experience is designed as a class discussion. The discussion encourages learners to weigh the consequences of choosing peace or choosing war. Why choose peace? Perhaps it is to protect life, allow for economic activity, and prevent damage to infrastructure and environment. The harder question is why choose war? Learners may find it helpful to first reflect on more contemporary (or even 20th century) moments where Canada has chosen war (e.g., fighting fascism during WWII, peacekeeping missions, etc.) before considering why the Mi’kmaq and the British sometimes chose conflict in the 18th century. This exercise can also help learners appreciate just how important a treaty focused on peace and friendship might be.
The discussion prompts and supports are included in the supplementary materials. This LE is a great set up for an exit ticket activity that asks learners to identify their personal key takeaway from the exercise, and to share why that takeaway is important.
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)
- Core Mi’kmaw values. (See LE F8, Family, Culture, Community introduction)
LE Materials
The materials below support this LE’s activities and knowledge growth. They are designed to be printed on both 8.5″x” and 11″x17″ paper.
Additional Resources
See the introductions to the What is a Treaty? and Treaty-Making sections, as well as the general introduction to the resource.
It might also be useful to remind learners of the Mi’kmaw values found in the Family, Culture, Community introduction.
sharing our stories