1. First Nations People - an Ancient Civilization?
Nov. 7th, 2015
First Nations People - an Ancient Civilization?

2. Intro
Historians and archeologists are still in consistent debate about how long the First Nations People have been on this land we call Canada for.
The general consensus is that they have been here for 12,000 years.
Therefore, when comparing the First Nations People to the Ancient Civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China, it is appropriate for us to include them into our list of Ancient Civilizations.
However, the question can be asked whether the First Nations People of this time period could be considered a civilization. For the next couple of days we will look to see if the First Nations People who lived on this land for 12,000 years can be added to the list of ancient civilizations.

3. First Nation Government
Each First Nation group had self-government and recognized the sovereignty of all other First Nation groups
What does self-government mean?
Self-government can be used to describe a people or group being able to exercise all of the necessary functions of power without intervention from any authority which they cannot themselves alter
What does sovereignty mean?
Sovereignty: A country’s independent authority and right to govern itself.

4. Canada's First Nations all had complex social systems, with several levels of government based on the family, the band or clan, and the nation or tribe.
Their system of government was also broken down into three main components:
Spiritual Beliefs,
Role of the Individual, and
Role of the Group.

5. Spiritual Beliefs
Aboriginal peoples believed that the Creator made the earth according to a great plan that would allow all things to live together in harmony.
This plan formed the rules of Natural Law.
These rules become laws and customs upon which traditions were based upon.
First Nations People believed anyone who disrupted the Natural Law showed disrespect towards the Creator. All groups knew that they had to live according to Natural Law.
They had to protect the delicate balance of nature. Their survival depended on the survival of the natural world.

6. Role of the Individual
Their leaders, or Chiefs, were chosen in different ways, but were always people who had special leadership qualities that brought them respect from their people
In order to become a chief, a person had to show leadership within their society. He has to prove he was concerned about the band as a whole.
After he became a chief, his main concern was to keep peace within his band and with other bands. A chief would not command or force anyone to obey him. Instead, he relied on gaining respect from the people so that they would regard his advice. He did this by acting wisely to settle disputes.

7. In larger bands there could be several different chiefs for different areas of daily life.
When the group needed food, the hunting leader took charge.
In times of war, the warrior leader organized soldiers.
When the group needed to be reminded of religious traditions, the spiritual leader came forward.
Women within the band are often chosen by the women to be their social leader and to speak for them when group decisions were made.

8. Role of the Group
In most First Nations, a council of elders advised the Chief, and decisions were made by consensus, which means that the council would discuss a matter of importance, and then would make a decision that the majority agreed on.
During certain times of the year, when all bands within a nation came together, special councils governed the group. Usually there were separate councils for men and women.
They met with other nations to settle disputes, make treaties, and establish alliances.
Alliances were made for political, economic, social and sometimes military reasons.

9. Question
Can we see any commonalities between the First Nation’s form of government and our very own government?
Make a t-chart – on one side have the similarities and on the other write the differences. Let’s see what we can come up with.

10. Similarities
Differences

11. Education

12. For many First Nations groups, Education would last a lifetime
For many First Nations groups, Education would last a lifetime. It would take place at any time of the year and any time of the day. First Nation education focused on individual instruction, observation (listening and watching) and experience (trial and practice).

13. Education was holistic,
What is holistic again?
With respect to education, holistic was a system relating all aspects to the whole. It focuses on the whole person. It takes all aspects of a person’s body and mind into account.
Elders were considered their special teachers, as they taught the spiritual beliefs, values and customs that kept cultural traditions alive.

14. Everyone learned what was necessary to know to ensure the survival of the group.
Young men were taught how to hunt buffalo, to trap and to protect people.
Young women were taught how to gather food, to make clothes and tools, and to raise children.
Men and women learned different roles, but these roles were seen as complementary.
Together they were not taught separate subjects, but within their learning they learned many skills that would fit under a particular subject. For example, students would learn how to get along with others (social studies), which plants not to eat (biology), and how to tell stories (Language Arts).

15. Question:
Can we see any similarities to the First Nation way of education compared to our way?
Make a t-chart to list the similarities and differences between our education and the First Nation way of education.

16. Similarities
Differences

17. Please complete the following on the index cared: Name and explain the 5 components of a Civilization? (Do not use your notes & make sure you have your name on the index card)