Secret Path Lesson 1 Awareness and Identity Purpose

Secret Path Lesson 1 Awareness and Identity Purpose: To become aware of the life story of Chanie Wenjack and how his identity was changed by Residential Schools.

Identity What does Identity mean? ● The individual characteristics by which a person is recognized ●

Identity Individual Identity: The part of our identity that is unique to the person ● Collective Identity: The part of our identity that we share with a group ●

Can you list parts of your own Identity? Individual Idenity Collective Identity Can you share with a partner?

How would you feel if all of the things you listed about yourself were taken away? ● How would your life be affected if the things that were most important to you were taken away? ● ● Has this ever happened before?

Residential Schools

What do we know about Residential Schools?

Residential Schools 1834 to 1996 ● First Nations people were sent to boarding schools meant to “civilize” and “educate” ● Was one of the Canadian Government’s attempt to assimilate First Nations people ● Children were taken from their parents ●

The schools were funded by the Canadian Government ● The schools were run by Churches of several Christian denominations ● Catholic and Anglican had the most ● Alberta had the highest number of Residential Schools ●

Students Were Forbidden to speak Native languages ● Had their hair cut and clothing changed ● Forced to learn English and convert to Christianity ● Physical and sexual abuse occurred frequently ● Were not allowed to leave to see their family ● Poor nutrition was common ●

Cultural Genocide ● Children lost identity because they were taught that their culture & traditions were primitive and wrong

Chanie Wenjack 12 Years old in 1966 ● Anishinaabe Marten Falls Reserve in Northern Ontario ● What are some things you think may be a part of his identity? ●

Chanie and the loss of Identity Chanie lost a lot in the Residential School. One example is his name. The Priests and Nuns at the school called him Charlie, because it was an English name that sounded close to Chanie

Heritage Minute

Gord Downie Born in 1964 in Kingston Ontario ● Lead singer and songwriter of the Tragically Hip ●

In what ways does the song reflect Canada?

The Secret Path Gord Downie’s final project ● He has called it the most important work of his life ●

Gord said he knew nothing about the Residential School System for most of his life. He was shocked and upset when he learned about it as an adult. He created Secret Path because he was upset that he didn't know about it, and he wanted to do something to raise awareness.

Intro and the Stranger (0 -9: 00)

Journal Reflection ● Questions to consider (Optional): �What is The Stranger about? �What are the song and images trying to say about identity? �Do you see themes of loss of identity in the song? If so, where? �How do you feel about Chanie loosing parts of his identity because he was forced to go to Residential School? �Why do you think Gord Downie chose Chanie Wenjack as his final project? �If you could say one thing to Chanie or Gord, what would you say?