IMEAC Forum, March, 1994
Overview
A key component of Aboriginal self-government is the right to determine economic development within one's own territory, and the right to benefit from that development. Use of natural resources is examined as it relates to Aboriginal rights, land claims, self-government issues, and worldview .
The impacts of economic development projects upon Aboriginal peoples may be investigated through study of projects such as: James Bay I and II in Quebec; the Mackenzie Valley oil and gas pipeline; hydro-electric and uranium development in Northern Saskatchewan in the 1990s. This unit presents a variety of perspectives on these issues, while focusing upon how Aboriginal peoples have been, and continue to be affected.
Aboriginal self-determination has led to many economic ventures. Aboriginal desire for economic self-sufficiency has encouraged provincial and federal governments to create agencies and programs to support this development. Aboriginal educational institutions continue to implement business courses and administration degrees targeted specifically for Aboriginal communities.
Indian and Métis capital investment organizations support a full range of enterprises from small business operations to corporations involving a number of diverse companies.
Economic independence supports aspirations for self-determination and self-government. Economic well-being is necessary for a people to flourish and to continue to grow. Resource management is a concrete step toward self-government through economic self-sufficiency.
Foundational Objectives
The foundational objectives are to guide student achievement in three areas:
Knowledge
• Understand how cultural factors influence a people's relationship to the environment and economic development. (PSVS) (CCT)
• Understand that Aboriginal and treaty rights influence economic development. (CCT) (IL)
• Understand the technical, social and cultural implications associated with economic development projects. (TL) (N)
• Understand that a range of perspectives exists regarding development. (CCT) (PSVS)
Values
• Appreciate the cultural factors which influence Aboriginal peoples' relationship with their environment. (PSVS) (CCT)
• Appreciate the impact of development of natural resources on Aboriginal peoples. (TL) (PSVS) (CCT)
• Develop compassion, empathy and fair-mindedness and make positive contributions to society as individuals and as members of groups.
Skills/Processes
• Explore the technical, social, economic, and cultural implications of present technology and of impending technological developments. (TL) (CCT) (N)
• Seek information through a steadily expanding network of options, including individuals, databases, agencies and other libraries. (C) (IL) (TL)
• Summarize important understandings from a variety of media and other sources. (C) (TL)
• Draw inferences, make generalizations and reach tentative conclusions using evidence from a variety of media and sources. (CCT)
• Synthesize ideas gleaned from a variety of media and other sources. (C) (CCT) (IL)
• Develop independence regarding planning, monitoring, and evaluating learning experiences. (IL)
• Identify, categorize, apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate data from a variety of sources. (CCT)