CBC Archives

Ask students to complete a word web of the term “assimilation” on the download sheet Understanding Assimilation. Ask students to share their webs, focusing particularly on what assimilation means to them.

Some of the material about the topic of government treatment of the Inuit is disturbing or sensitive. You may wish to browse the site and to discuss any sensitive issues with students before beginning.

Direct students to the topic An Inuit Education on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. Have them browse for 30 minutes to gather some ideas about the federal government sending Inuit children to school away from their homes. In their journals, students should complete the sentence: “I was surprised to find out…” or
“I was upset to find out….”

Ask students to share their responses. Then conduct a visualization exercise. Ask students to imagine the following situation, which parallels what happened to Inuit children in Canada during the 1950s and 1960s: You are six years old. You are taken from your family, far away, to a residential school. You are not allowed to speak your language. If you are even able to see your siblings, you cannot hug them. You don’t understand the language you hear around you. You have to get used to different foods and a new home. You won't see your parents for several months.

In pairs, students can discuss their thoughts and feelings. They may wish to generate a list of questions for further exploration and conduct research to find the answers.

In their journals, students can reflect on Inuit assimilation into Canadian society. Have them include ideas, questions, and concerns.