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 UNITS & TOPICS
The Curriculum & Activity Guide is divided into ten multidisciplinary units covering the following topics.
If you would like to download the curriculum and participate in the online classroom, please register.
- The Nunavut Territory - Nation Building
The word, “Nunavut”, means “our land” in Inuktitut, the Inuit language. Nunavut officially became Canada’s newest territory on April 1, 1999 when the Northwest Territories was divided into two. Since that time, the government of the new territory has been hard at work responding to the present and future needs, hopes, and dreams of Nunavummiut. This unit will explore the years of negotiations that led up to the creation of the new territory and the current leadership and government of Nunavut, as well as broader concepts of government and leadership.
- Planning An Expedition (download a free pdf copy)
Could you carry your house, food, cooking utensils, clothing and everything else that you might need to live and survive? Well, Arctic Transect explorers do and for weeks at a time, too! Experience the planning and preparation required to complete a successful expedition while choosing team members and developing goal setting skills. Inuit activities focus on “Native” perspectives and how Europeans interacted with North America’s original inhabitants.
- The Inuit People and Culture
The sounds of laughter from a game of ajagak and the unique sounds of throat singing will fill your classroom when you participate in this unit! Activities explore these aspects of Inuit culture as well as aspects of popular culture with the purpose of fostering appreciation for cultural differences.
- Traveling on the Land
Imagine your life without planes, trains or automobiles... motor boats, bikes or skate boards. The Inuit lived without all of these and still managed to travel large distances to reach hunting grounds, fishing areas or other places where important resources were located. Students recreate travel by dogsled, kayak and foot while sharpening navigation, first aid and other survival skills.
- Nature in the Arctic
The arctic tundra of northern Canada is a complex and fragile ecosystem. In the past, the sparse landscape provided enough to supply small Inuit communities with food, clothing, shelter, tools and medicine. The Inuit were hunters and gatherers whose knowledge of the wildlife was vital to their survival. Learn about the traditional uses of plants and animals in the Arctic while investigating population dynamics and wildlife management.
- Interpreting Landscape
The Hudson Bay lowlands meet the Canadian Shield geological formation at the southern border of Nunavut. The landscape creates a rolling topography born from receding glaciers unique to this region. Students use historical Inuit place names and knowledge to identify landforms, construct maps and analyze the physical geography of an area. Emphasis is also placed on understanding basic concepts of geology.
- Legends and Language
Experience aspects of Inuit culture through the tapestry of Inuit legends and language. Inuit culture is an oral culture, and for centuries Elders have passed down stories and lessons from one generation to another. The interconnected nature of Inuit legends and language with culture is revealed through the activities in this unit.
- Water, Water Everywhere
In your tea, underneath the ground, on the South Pole... its unique physical properties make water one of the most amazing substances on earth! Arctic Transect team members will be following waterways within the Hudson Bay and Arctic Ocean watersheds and monitoring water quality along the way. Explore the role water has played in lives of the Inuit. Activities flow through water-based themes that investigate watersheds and our current water usage.
- Spirituality
“It is the Inuit experience with the land that is the source of Inuit learning, healing, nourishment, propagation, and child rearing. It is the respectful relationship with the land and its species that is the core of traditional Inuit spirituality.” In this unit, students explore elements of traditional Inuit spirituality such as sila, anirniq, and dreams. They will also evaluate the role religion and spirituality play in lives and cultures around the world.
- Thinking Seasons
The traditional lifestyle of the Inuit was directly connected to each season. Understanding the climate of northern Canada and its consequent effect on all life was crucial to their livelihood. Learn about the seasonal activities of the Inuit and how their nomadic lifestyle has changed over time. Investigations will delve into the mechanisms that create weather, seasons and climate. Emphasis is also placed on monitoring environmental changes by creating a phenology.
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