Investigating the Creation and Development of Canadian Autonomy:

Can you answer the question “What is Canada?”

Is Canada a country of people who endlessly apologise, obsess over hockey and bend
to American desires? Is Canada a country to be proud of, to be disappointed by, or both?
What made Canada independent – success at Vimy Ridge? The King-Byng Crisis? The Statute
of Westminster? Lester B. Pearson’s international and domestic efforts? The patriation of
our constitution in 1982? Inevitably there are many answers to the question “What is
Canada?” and equally inevitably, Canadian students need to explore Canadian identity.

Task:
To articulate the development of Canadian autonomy and identity throughout the 20th
century and connect it to how you view Canadian identity and autonomy in the present.

What does it mean to be Canadian and how did Canada develop as an autonomous
nation with an identifiable identity?

Components:
1) A product that highlights three turning points in the development of Canada’s identity and
three turning points is the development of autonomy as a nation. These turning points are
significant events/people/moments that influenced Canada’s autonomy and identity
(challenges as well supports).
2) Plan of action for addressing historical wrongs that demonstrates empathy and
understanding of the issues.
3) Reflection on your own development in the past semester or year.

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and
learning from failure. ~ Colin Powell
Presentation:
Create a physical product that can be displayed and shared with others. Your product can be
in the form of a website, movie trailer, concept map, photo essay, song, script, picture book,
Powerpoint, prezi, monologue, series of letters, etc.
Your exploration is individually based and will be shared with/presented to your colleagues
through a gallery walk on June 20th

Getting Started
Product: You should explore the key themes we have explored in class in a way that adds to
our understanding of human behaviour, Canadian identity, and Canada’s development as an
autonomous nation.

Key Themes
International Involvement Indigenous peoples’ rights French-English tensions
Human Rights Canada-US relations Economics
The Arts Inequalities /Social Change

Plan of Action: Canadian history includes dark parts as well as glories. You are being asked to
select one dark part of Canadian history, explain why it is a ‘dark moment,’ give a rationale
why Canadians must be aware of it and how you would achieve this if you were the Canadian
government (with all its attendant resources and restrictions).

The unexamined life is not worth living ~ Socrates

Reflection: The essence of this is to answer the questions “Who are you?” and “How have
you changed/grown as a result of learning and thinking about the concepts and big ideas we
have explored together?” and “Where do you go from here?” (min. 1 page double spaced)

Grading:
The final project is worth approximately 10-15% of your final grade. There will be no
extensions possible as grades are due the following day. You will be graded on the depth of
your critical thinking, the accuracy of your claims, the creativity with which you organize and
present your knowledge.

Regurgitation of facts is not our goal, rather you should be applying knowledge and skills
you have gained through our coursework to create a product that communicate your
thoughts in inviting and creative ways.