Imperialism and Aboriginal Identity

This project has the students examine the impact of imperialism on Aboriginal identity through a series of station activities and reflections.

The concept of "the circle of life" is integral to many Indigenous cultures around the world, including those of North America.  For Canada's Aboriginal people, including syilx (Okanagan) people, the medicine wheel can be culturally significant.
                                           
Based on the notion that everything within a circle is equal, balanced and interconnected, the medicine wheel symbolizes the circle of life because all things in life are part of a circle.  Similarly, the medicine wheel is cyclical as its elements rotate repeatedly in much the same way as Earth moves through periods of night and day or the progression of the four seasons.
 
The medicine wheel is divided into four quadrants, each of which is equal and represents different elements of life.  Likewise, each is represented by a colour and identified as the compass points of east, south, west and north.  The medicine wheel begins with the east, as it is in the east that sun rises to begin the day.
 
In this assignment, based on their research, students create a medicine wheel that addresses the following question: How has imperialism impacted on Aboriginal identity?
 
Using a combination of words and symbols design a medicine wheel that clearly communicates your understanding of the impact of imperialism on Aboriginal identity.
 
Imperialism and Aboriginal Identity

Jillian Cornock, Ryan Holly, Dayna Hart

9

Kelowna, British Columbia

Students examine the impact of imperialism on Aboriginal identity through a series of station activities and reflections.

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