Learning about Indigenous Sovereignty through the experience of the Iroquois Nation Lacrosse Team
This lesson idea came out of a current event that students may or may not be familiar with.
It suits many subject areas: Social Studies, Geography, Native Studies, History, Social Justice, English
Lesson Framework:
Objectives- Students will develop an understanding of how European land conventions (borders, land division, private property) are given power above Indigenous rights to land and ways of regarding land.
Outcomes- Students will begin to deconstruct how/why European institutions are socially accepted and often unchallenged. They will begin to rethink how Indigenous land rights are dealt with internationally. They will begin to formulate an understanding of Indigenous sovereignty.
Background Info:
In late July 2010, the Iroquois Nation Lacrosse team, based out of the traditional Iroquois land area (on both sides of the Canadian and American border), was refused entry to Britain as they offered officials documentation issued by the Iroquois Confederacy. Because they did not show American or Canadian passports, the players were not allowed into the country.
Resources:
You can access more information on this issue on CBC and YouTube:
Article: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/07/14/us-iroquois-lacrosse-team.html
Video:
To learn more about the Iroquois Confederacy visit the social studies section of BrainPop (a subscription is needed, ask your administrator- your division likely has one)
http://www.brainpop.com/
To further expand on this concept share the story "Borders" by Thomas King with your students.
"Borders":
http://faculty.law.ubc.ca/myoung/constitution/images/Thomas%20King%20Borders.pdf
Where you go with these resources is really based on your subject area, students and teaching style. I hope you can make use of this lesson framework!
