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Applying Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, Metis, and Inuit 

      Knowledge and understanding of FNMI peoples and culture are important to education as it is a large part of Canadian history. The treatment of FNMI people is undoubtedly a blemish on Canada's past, but it must be understood in order to understand how they have been impacted by the western world. Knowledge about FNMI peoples and culture de-stigmatize any stereotypes and promotes the acceptance and celebration of their culture. 
 
      Here is an except I wrote for a pre-confederation Canadian history course (HIST 231). The assignment was to build an outline of our own textbook and include important main ideas. I choose to incorporate the treatment of First Nations by the French and the British to avoid these mistakes from happening again.  
      It is important to focus on the life and culture of the First Nations prior to European contact as it demonstrates First Nations culture without the influence of Europeans and other western ideas. First Nation culture was heavily influenced by the French and the British through trade and western ideas. Displaying true First Nations culture allows students to see how First Nations lived and how their lifestyle has been changed by the Europeans. The impact of Europeans on First Nations is a key theme that includes the assimilation and ill treatment of First Nations. It is important to demonstrate this blemish on Canadian History so that we are truthful and forthcoming about the mistakes that have been made in the past and to also ensure that these mistakes do not happen again.
      In EDUC 4352, Indigenous Perspectives in Education, we discussed the treatment of FNMI people and the importance to celebrate their culture in our schools to demonstrate the beauty and validity of other cultures. We did resource evaluations for different books we could incorporate into our classrooms. Here are my evaluations for the books I chose.  
 Storm Boy
The Elders are Watching
The Drum Calls Softly
The Giving Tree
Sweetest Kulu
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