Wilkinson | First Nations Studies 12 | Mapping Yukon indigenous place names
Name:
Mapping Yukon indigenous place names In this activity, you and your classmates will work together to make a Google Map of the Yukon using traditional place names.
Goals Gain a deeper appreciation of Yukons indigenous heritage. Understand place names as an area of conflict between indigenous people and colonizers. Practice pronouncing words in Inuktitut, Tlingit, and Yukon Athapaskan languages. Use a simple computer-based geographical information system.
Instructions I will assign you 1-3 First Nations to study. Options: Carcross/Tagish Champagne & Aishihik Nacho Nyak Dun Kluane, Kwanlin Dn, Taan Kwachan Little Salmon / Carmacks Ross River Dena, Liard Selkirk Teslin Tlingit Trondk Hwchin Vuntut Gwitchin White River Inuvialuit (part of their settlement region is in the Yukon). Tetlit Gwichin (part of their settlement region is in the Yukon). On your worksheet (last page of this booklet) write down which First Nation(s) you have been assigned, the communities in that First Nations territory, and the language traditionally spoken by that First Nation.
Using Google Maps, identify 10-15 major geographical features in your First Nations territory. These can be natural (lakes, rivers, glaciers, mountains, mountain ranges) or created by humans (villages, towns, mines, roads). Record the longitude and latitude of each feature (except for roads and rivers) in the table on your worksheet (last page of this booklet).
Use the Yukon Gazetteer (available through your course website) to find the traditional names of the features you found, and their English translations if possible. Record these in the table on your worksheet (last page of this booklet). Dont forget to write diacritical marks on vowels wherever necessary! Hint: having trouble finding place names with traditional names? Look in the Gazetteer (instead of on the map) for names from your First Nation - there are lots! Search using the abbreviations
Mr. Wilkinson | First Nations Studies 12 | Mapping Yukon indigenous place names of page 3 of the gazetteer.
You are now ready to start publishing your findings to the Internet! On the I have invited you to contribute to our class map at mapsengine.google.com (you should have received an e-mail). Log in to the map, click new layer and name the layer YourName-YourFirstNation.
On the map, fiind your First Nations territory. Find each of the features youve identified, and give it a place-marker. I have given each language group a colour, and left example dummy placemarkers on the map at the Whitehorse Airport. Please make sure that all of your placemarkers are the correct colour so that readers can see which language group created which names.
The title of each place-marker should be the traditional name for the place. In the textbox of each place-marker, write the English translation of the traditional name. Note: you do NOT need to write the English place-name, just the English translation of the traditional name.
Use the Internet to find pictures of the places youve marked. (You might find it easier to search using the English names). Insert an appropriate photograph into each of your placemarkers.
Thats all! I hope that you enjoy working together in this way, and creating something valuable that can be shared with the world.
Mr. Wilkinson | First Nations Studies 12 | Mapping Yukon indigenous place names
Useful Links (also available through your course website) How to type in Yukon native languages http://youtu.be/Tbk7lMdMl5E
How to insert a placemark http://youtu.be/5OU9HBpFrZk
Yukon gazetteer of place names http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/pdf/yt_gazett eer_10.pdf
Yukon Native Language Centre ynlc.ca
Assessment Satisfactory (3/5) Excellent (5/5) Language You have chosen the correct language and the correct territory for your First Nation.
Satisfactory + Place names are spelled correctly with all the necessary diacritical marks. Presentation Placemarks are positioned accurately and in the correct colour. Where possible, English translations of indigenous placenames are provided. Satisfactory + Each placemark label includes an appropriate photograph from the Internet. Depth You have found and labelled 10 place names. Satisfactory + 5 more place names = 15. Total: /15
Mr. Wilkinson | First Nations Studies 12 | Mapping Yukon indigenous place names Name: ________________________ Worksheet
First Nation studied:
Communities:
Language:
Feature type (i.e. river, town mountain, etc.) Co-ordinates (longitude and latitude) English name Traditional name & English translation (if available)
