What can you do? (for schools)
1 – Awareness Building
2 – Show a Thought Provoking Film
3 – Poster Contest
4 – Reconciliation Walk / Parade
5 – Theatrical Performances
6 – Youth Night
AWARENESS BUILDING
THEME: Awareness Building / Learning / Fun
AGES: All
MATERIALS: Various classroom supplies as required
VOLUNTEERS: None
Utilize age appropriate resources. Break up the class into five working groups. Each group’s task is to research one of the following topics:
To learn about the inter-generational effects of 100 years of Residential
School policies set up by the Federal Government to assimilate Aboriginal Peoples.
Access the Assembly of First Nations Web site (www.afn.ca) to view their perspective on residential schools.
The Historica Web site (www.histori.ca) will have information and resources on the tragic policy.
Set up a play with the children playing the roles of Aboriginal children sent to another country with the instructions not to speak English, talk to their parents for one year, and not to practice their spiritual beliefs.
Discuss how you would feel if those conditions were experienced within your family.
The history of the Internment of Ukrainian Canadians during the First World War. Examine where in the school curriculum this subject is taught and seek other resources from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress
Web site (www.ucc.ca) and the Historica Web site (www.histori.ca).
Examine the Canadian Apology to Japanese Canadians by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Federal Government. Read the redress package and then seek out survivors of the internment and ask them about their thoughts and on the inter-generational effects caused by the policy to take away their rights as Canadian citizens and the reasons given at the time for such treatment.
Research the Japanese Canadian National Museum Web site (www.jcnm.ca).
Research the Imposition of the Chinese Head Tax on new Chinese peoples coming into Canada. Look at the Chinese Canadian National Council Web site (www.ccnc.ca) and read their request for an apology.
Discuss the pros and cons of these issues and prepare a report.
Have students develop a play on these events depicting the process and the effect it had on the Chinese peoples and the response of Canadians at the time.
The Canadian Government’s decision to turn back refugee ships filled with Jewish people escaping death camps during the Second World War. There are many questions to consider: Was there an interest from Canadians regarding this act? What happened to the people on those ships? Do Canadian students know about these acts? Is it an important part of our Human Rights history? To help answer some of the questions about this act, visit the web site of the Canadian Jewish Congress (www.cjc.ca).
Have the five groups present their information through a report, poems,
songs, drama, or a combination of these approaches. Discuss why these issues are not included in the same detail as the history of Europe and Canada or why these details are not included in the current curriculum. Engage teachers from other classes; interview them on why these issues do not receive attention.
SHOW A THOUGHT-PROVOKING FILM:
Example: Lina Hoshino’s “Caught in Between”
“As the Arab, Muslim, South Asian communities face post-911 repression, this documentary captures Muslim and Japanese American communities revisiting the dark days of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Interviews with former internees, their children, religious leaders, citizens and immigrants from Japanese and Muslim American communities are woven together to make crucial connections between then and the current “War on Terrorism.”
Caught in Between tells a story about people who have been made the enemy, questions “freedom” in the USA, and captures the power of people standing together to fight for civil liberties and human rights.”
-Lina Hoshino, taken from an interview with NDHR
For more information go to: http://www.caughtinbetween.org/
POSTER CONTEST
THEME: Healing and Reconciliation
AGES: Children & Youth
MATERIALS: Paper, writing/drawing instruments, etc.
VOLUNTEERS: 3-5 to judge and to organize
This activity allows everyone a chance to express their opinions on healing and reconciliation. The contest can be held with two different approaches: the entrants create work at their home or school and submit their entries by a certain date or a gathering takes place where individuals create their entries at the same time in a central location.
You could also extend the contest to all members of the community
with different age categories.
To recognize the entrants, you may wish to create certificates or arrange
for all of the entries to be displayed for the public to see. The local paper may be willing to publish some or all of the posters in the community paper. The awards presentation to the winners could take place at a special ceremony or as part of another NDHR event such as a feast.
Posters and art-related activities allow children and families the opportunity to work creatively together and express their feelings in new ways.
Click HERE to see our 2007 National Poster Contest!
Reconciliation Walk / Parade
THEME: Supporting a United Community
AGES: All
MATERIALS: Map of the route, banners/flags, water, PA system, etc.
VOLUNTEERS: 5-10 to serve as parade marshals, MC, guest speakers, refreshment servers, etc.
Reconciliation walks have the potential to become a very big part of NDHR events all over Canada. NDHR walks can help to bring awareness
to all people in your community because there are few things as eye catching as a group of people marching together for a common cause.
Other activities on the walk could include singing songs together. Perhaps a special song could be composed for the occasion. Guest speakers can speak at the end of the walk rally. This could include proclamations from elected representatives.
Suggestion:
The route should be chosen to include the needs of those with mobility
concerns like strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters. The walk could also be used as a fund raising activity for NDHR. Ask participants to gather donations from their family, friends, and coworkers.
Another Suggestion:
Try to do this in conjunction with a church and/or a local community!
Theatrical Performances
THEME: A Theatrical Interpretation of Healing & Reconciliation
AGES: All
MATERIALS: Staging area, program/posters, props, etc.
VOLUNTEERS: Depends on the type of presentation
This is a fun and creative way to explore the community issues surrounding healing and reconciliation. Ask people to write and present their own plays around the subject to see different perspectives. The presentations could even be video taped to show others in the future.
Suggestion:
Involve people with different skills and abilities. Be sure to include people
with stage and acting experience and others who are interested but may not have any experience. Try not to put too many restrictions on the types of plays that are presented; include stories, songs, or even puppet shows.
Youth Night
THEME: Empowering Our Youth
AGES: 13-17
MATERIALS: Various depending on activities
VOLUNTEERS: 2-3 to faciliate the workshop (counselors, elders, etc.)
A youth night is a chance for young people to get involved in acitivities that they enjoy. Create a safe place where they can speak their minds. This is an opportunity to help prepare the youth populations for possible future challenges they may face as adults. Be sure to include a mixture of information and celebration so that participants understand the reality of challenges they will face in the community.
Suggestion:
Have youth volunteers form their own organizing committee and encourage
them to be in charge of their activities. Try and make the event for youth only to meet the needs of this age group alone.