Social Participation and

Canadian Diversity
LT4 Living Disciple Photo Essay : Social Studies

CDPD 500

Brock Mix
 Canadians
across the
country have
been
engaging in
democratic
social
participation
to bring
about justice
and to
promote the
diversity that
Canada is
known for.
Recently, Canadians have gathered to use
their collective voice for Indigenous Treaty
rights, the BLM movement, and for the
continued work towards LGBTQ2S+
inclusion.
 The Sipekne’katik band of the
Mi’kmaq people of Nova Scotia are
having their treaty rights infringed
upon by non-Indigenous fishers.
Non-indigenous fishers have resorted to violence,
arson, and vandalism as they believe the Treaty
rights of the Mi'kmaq people to be unfair.
Many Canadians
have shown
their support for
the Mi'kmaq
people and their
Treaty rights.
 Situations like these show us that
reconciliation is needed and that Canadian
perspectives on Treaty rights are not uniform.
But these situations regarding Treaty rights
don’t just involve Indigenous people. They
speak to the larger question of Canadian
diversity and social participation.
 Canadian’s have also utilized social
participation to stand against systemic racism
in response to the murder of George Floyd.
Canadian’s are coming together to support those
who have not felt that Canada’s claims of diversity
are true for everyone.
As Canadians work towards the ideals of diversity
and inclusion, they also need to look to their past.
As we look at the past and our present, we see that
there is still work to do as we move towards the
Canada of the future!
 As Canadian’s from diverse perspectives gather
publicly in response to current events they are
using their voice to engage in Canadian Democracy.
 The Social Studies
curriculum allows us to
discuss the cultural,
ethnic, gender and sexual
diversity of Canada and
how Canadian’s have and
continue to use their
social participation to
work towards progress
and change!
 Front Matter Inspirations
- The goal of social studies is to provide learning opportunities for students to:

- understand the principles underlying a democratic society

- demonstrate a critical understanding of individual and collective rights

- understand the commitment required to ensure the vitality and sustainability of their changing communities at the local, provincial, national and global levels

- validate and accept differences that contribute to the pluralistic nature of Canada

- respect the dignity and support the equality of all human beings.

- Individuals need to feel that their identities are viewed as legitimate before they can contribute to the public good and feel a sense of belonging and empowerment as
citizens.

- A key component of effective social organizations, communities and institutions is recognition of diversity of experiences an perspectives. The program of studies
emphasizes how diversity and differences are assets that enrich our lives. Students will have opportunities to value diversity, to recognize differences as positive attributes
and to recognize the evolving nature of individual identities. Race, socioeconomic conditions and gender are among various forms of identification that people live with and
experience in a variety of ways.

- In order to allow opportunities for students to engage in current affairs, issues and concerns of a local nature, the program of studies provides the flexibility to include these
topics with the time allotted for social studies.

- Opportunities may include:

- Current events in local communities

- Issues with local, provincial, national and/or global relevance

- Cultural celebrations

- Visits from dignitaries

- Special events

- For historical and constitutional reasons, an understanding of Canada requires an understanding:

- Of Aboriginal perspectives

- Of Aboriginal experiences

- That Aboriginal students have particular needs and requirements

• Photographer: Unknown. Retrieved from: https://www.sootoday.com/global-news/hundreds-take-part-in-airdries-first-pride-festival-1520106

• Photographer: Terri Trembath. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-black-lives-matter-vigil-1.5601949

• Photographer: Unknown. Retrieved from: https://globalnews.ca/news/7364611/mikmaq-lobster-fishery-in-nova-scotia-grows-to-10-boats/

• Photographer: Unknown. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/10/14/mikmaq-chief-slams-nova-scotia-fishery-violence-they-are-

getting-away-with-these-terrorist-hate-crime-acts.html

• Photographer: Unknown. Retrieved from: https://globalnews.ca/news/7403167/mikmaq-lobster-plant-fire/

• Photographer: Andrew Vaughan. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/mi-kmaq-self-regulated-moderate-livelihood-fishery-1.5727622

• Photographer: Unknown (Canadian Press). Retrieved from: https://www.flare.com/news/nova-scotia-fishing-dispute/

• Photographer: Sean Kilpatrick. Retrieved from: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-mikmaq-fisheries-nova-scotia-treaty-rights-explainer/

• Photographer: Unknown. Retrieved from: https://globalnews.ca/news/7033923/black-lives-matter-protest-calgary-june-6/

• Photographer: Unknown. Retrieved from: https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/hundreds-gather-in-olympic-plaza-for-black-lives-matter-protest-in-

calgary-1.4972564

• Photographer: Unknown. Retrieved from: https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/jason-kenney-asks-montreal-to-send-toppled-sir-john-a-macdonald-statue-to-

alberta-1.5084727

• Photographer: Unknown(Manitoba Gay and Lesbian Archives/University of Manitoba). Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/secretlifeofcanada/
prairie-pride-how-winnipeg-became-a-hub-of-queer-history-1.5071787

• Photographer: Lucie Edwardson. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/trans-lgbtq-flag-downtown-vandalized-calgary-1.5246773

• Photographer: Darryl Dyck. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/statcan-modernize-diversity-visible-minority-1.5128288

• https://education.alberta.ca/media/159597/program-of-studies-grade-6.pdf