Discuss with students how many Aboriginal communities are reserve communities. Today, many Aboriginal People still live on reserves or regard their reserve as their home, even if they live in an urban setting. Teachers may choose to conduct this activity without the support of the main lesson.
Some basic facts about reserves
- 2,500 reserves in Canada
- 41 Bands in Alberta
- 58% of the Aboriginal population live on reserves
- Reserves make up less than 1% of the land base in Canada
- Many reserves were created through treaties. In Alberta, Treaties
4, 6, 7, 8 and 10 were signed
- Most reserves are rural and have been home to many families for a number of generations
- Reserves are regarded as home by many Aboriginal People even if they live in the city
- Approximately 386,000 people live on reserves across Canada with 237,000 living off of their reserve
- Reserves vary in size and location. Many reserves have thousands of members, while some have only a few families
Place a map of Alberta that depicts
some of the reserves across the province on the overhead projector.
Ask students if they have ever been to a reserve or if they are from
a reserve. Students will assume the role of a 'reserve reporter' and
gather facts about three different reserves, for comparison. Have students
compile their information into a paragraph describing the different
reserves.
Some questions students may want to answer
- Where is the reserve located?
- What is the language group?
- How many people live on the reserve?
- How many people live off of their reserve but still consider it home?
- What is an interesting fact you found discovered about this reserve?
Students should use the Internet and the Origin
and Settlement Student Zone TidBits section to access the bulk of
the information.
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