Page 67 - The Ogemawahj Tribal Council

Physical (Reveal) Action, Hands On LANGUAGE
CONNECTIONS:
Role-Play Scenario
First Nation people:
Break students into four groups, and have each group stand together
Anishinaabeg (Uh-nish-in-aw-
on four separate squares in the classroom. Tell students that their beg)
square is their land to live, work, and play on.
Chief: Gimaa (gih-maw)
Then tell the students that you need their land to live on, but promise land: aki (uh-kih)
to give them money each year for sharing their land with you. treaty/promise:
waawiindamaagewin (waa-wiin-
As each group is approached to give up their land, have them return to
da-maa-ge-win); an explanation,
their seats. a promise
Now tell the students that you are not going to keep your promise.
They will never get the money that was promised and will not get their
land back. MATERIALS
1. A Promise is a Promise
Procedure by Robert Munsch and
Michael Kusugak
1. After the role-play scenario, ask students to reflect on how they
felt when they found out they weren’t going to be paid the money
promised for their land.
2. Read the cautionary tale A Promise is a Promise by Robert Munsch
and Michael Kusugak. With students, discuss and come to a
definition of the word “promise.” Write the word and definition
on the blackboard. Discuss what happens to Allashua when she
breaks her promise.
3. Refer to the Chippewas of Rama First Nation Resource Book.
4. Explain the following historical facts:
– In the 1700s and 1800s, at the time when First Nations and
European settlers/governments were “friends,” they fought
together in wars against different groups.
– As a result of this cooperation, the government promised First
Nations, specifically Chippewas of Rama First Nation, lands,
money, and protection.

– In the late 1700s to the early 1800s, the government decided
they wanted the lands where the Chippewas of Rama First
Nation people had always lived. Because they wanted them
to surrender the lands without a fight, they made lots of
promises of protection in return for the land.

– The chiefs of the First Nations in this area wanted to
protect and help their people, so they agreed to surrender
800,000 hectares.

Resource Books Leaders’ Guide 65