Student Inquiry on the Right's of Indigenous People's

Grade 6 students were asked to read and pick out important key words from the UN declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. We discovered the importance of having accords that protect their rights and why it is necessary to have these pieces in place. 

We began as a class discussion/brainstorm on what we knew about indigenous people and rights. Then students were to read and determine key words from the UN declaration. Groups shared as a class and we came up with a list of key words. From the key words, students were able to see the powerful language used and were able to articulate why indigenous rights need to be protected. 

Reflections: 

• students were engaged
• students were able to pull in background knowledge about what they know about indigenous people and Canada 
• students were able to see that the key words pulled as partners, resonated with others in the room as well
• provided opportunity for students to talk about the rights in the declaration 
• students were able to understand why certain groups of people in the world need protection