Social Studies Grades 7-9

Look back on the crucial stages of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham: context, preparation, siege of Quebec City and encounter. Over sixty interactive activities from four different viewpoints: French, British, Canadians and First Nations.

Perspectives of the British, Americans, Canadians, and Indigenous peoples of the War of 1812

This timeline of the Acadians spans 400 years, starting in the early 1600's. Learn how Acadians have worked to maintain their unique language and culture.

A history of Indigenous communities in the land that became Alberta in the time before contact with Europeans

A 4 minute video that provides an overview of the beaver fur trade in Canada and why it started.

Enjoy this fun rap about this events of Confederation in Canada

This timeline shows key events and contributions for Black Canadians in the history and development of Canada. You can change the time limitations at the front of the timeline.

Scroll down to see the timeline. The timeline starts in June of 1864 and goes all the way to decisions in 1999 and 2014 regarding First Nations land titles. Click on the embedded links to access additional articles or information.

Who were the Fathers of Confederation? This article addresses the men traditionally regarded as the Fathers of Confederation as well as other individuals that deserve consideration for their contributions.

Learn more about immigration to Canada as you explore this timeline, from 1753 up to 2016.

This article explores the relationships between Indigenous peoples and the French colonists in the period prior to Confederation.

This timeline explains the events leading to two French rebellions against Upper Canada in the time before Confederation, as well as events during the rebellions.

This article describes the long history of the separatist movement in Canada.

The great canoes of Canada's fur trade era opened up our nation's frontiers. Learn about the canoes, the fur trade, and the voyageurs.

An overview of the life, accomplishments, and possible motivations of Samuel de Champlain.

Often referred to as the Father of Manitoba, Louis Riel, the leader of the Métis people of the Canadian Prairies, sought to preserve Métis rights and culture during a turbulent time in Canadian history.

This resource from Manitoba Education explores the history of the relationships between Indigenous peoples and French settlers in North America prior to 1763.

This virtual exhibition looks at some facets of the history of Canada's Aboriginal peoples, underlining their fight for cultural survival and indicating the wealth of their modern-day contributions.

Learn all about the fur trade, the voyageurs and "Les Coureurs des Bois" through text and drawings.

The official site for Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump has information about Blackfoot History, how the site got its name, and school tours.

A short history of the Acadians, descendants of early French settlers, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1604 and built a distinct culture and society over generations.

Two politicians from Upper and Lower Canada work together to help shape democratic reforms for all of Canada (1841).

Lost in translation? The explorer's first meeting with Iroquoian peoples provides one story of how Canada got its name (1534).

This video is about the Métis leader, Louis Riel, as he reflects upon his struggle for his people in the moments before his execution in November, 1885.

This Heritage Minute tells the Iroquois story of Peacemaker. There is also a text version of the story.

Mohawk Chief John Norton and 80 Grand River warriors hold off American soldiers until reinforcements arrive and the Battle of Queenston Heights is won (1812).

Cartier, as an ally of Sir John A. Macdonald, was a key part to the Confederation talks. He shared the dream of a national railway and a union of provinces.

Sir John A. Macdonald was a dominant force behind the British North America Act and the union of provinces which became Canada. As the first prime minister of Canada, he oversaw the expansion of the country.

This Heritage minute and the biography below the video tell of Richard Pierpoint, a man born in Senegal who become a slave, a soldier and an amazing Canadian.

A site that examines pre-contact Indigenous life in the landmass that would become Canada.

A site that documents 16th century contact between the Inuit and white explorers

This interactive map of 19th century North America presents a geographical view of the major events and battles of the War of 1812. The movements and size of the American and British troops and of Tecumseh's Native Alliance are shown for each major event.

This video describes the building of Canada's National Railway. Not only did they make modern travel and trade possible, but they were also at the heart of Canada's growth as a nation.

This video from the McCord Museum looks at the effects of the rebellions of 1837-1838 on the rights of French Canadians.

A site that examines what clothes reveal about daily life in the early days of a united Canada

An article from the archived Alberta Online Encyclopedia

A selection from the exhibit of 36 photographs taken by Norman Hallendy showing extraordinary places and objects (including inuksuit) in the Canadian Arctic revealed to him by Inuit elders. The images celebrate unganaqtuq nuna, the Inuit expression meaning "a deep and total attachment to the land."

A lesson plan for grades 4-9 students from the Rupertsland Institute that explores the role of scrip Métis-Settler relationships.

This brief video discusses Samuel de Champlain's role as an early colonizer of Canada.

A re-enactment of the historic battle for the Plains of Abraham, a pivotal moment in the creation of Canada

Lessons and resources to use with students will exploring how the Canadian Confederation happened. If you click the links, there is a sign-in prompt -- but you can bypass the sign-in by clicking the image instead and you will be able to access all the Google slides associated with that image

This site has information about everyday life in New France. The site includes New France ABC (with historical artifacts that show how they lived), as well as information about the "filles du roi", First Nations peoples in New France, and pictures of Quebec.

The War of 1812 from the perspective of Canada.

The American perspective of the War of 1812 is presented by PBS

Americans have invaded Upper Canada and Laura Secord’s house has been turned into an impromptu barracks. After overhearing American soldiers discussing plans for a sneak attack, she sets out on a long and treacherous journey to alert the British troops.

A teacher's resource page from the Canadian Museum of History that includes collection of digitized museum artifacts, archival documents, video clips, audio clips, and activity suggestions for your class.

Learn about Batoche. Click on 1885 and be guided through the 1885 Metis settlement in Batoche by a host of your choice. Explore all areas of the town, play games and pick up some useful facts along the way.

This article provides a brief overview of the Quiet Revolution in Quebec and includes a 3 minute video. There are also links to related articles for further learning.

A CBC/Radio-Canada news story about the 1995 referendum in Quebec.

An overview of the League of Nations (which later became the Unite Nations) and Canada's role as a founding member of the League.

Scroll down to see the timeline. The timeline starts in June of 1864 and goes all the way to decisions in 1999 and 2014 regarding First Nations land titles. Click on the embedded links to access additional articles or information.

Learn about the service of the elite unit of Cree Code Talkers who served in World War II

An article that discusses French-English relations in Canada from 1830 to the 1995 referendum and its aftermath.

French Canadian nationalism concerns a wide variety of manifestations of the collective will of much of Canada's French-speaking population to live as a distinct cultural community. Its innumerable ramifications have been not only cultural but also political, economic and social. Learn more in this article.

Learn more about immigration to Canada as you explore this timeline, from 1753 up to 2016.

Learn about the thousands of Canadian Indigenous peoples that served in the Canadian military forces in the World Wars, mostly voluntarily.

The Canadian Encyclopedia provides a timeline of the life of Métis leader Louis Riel. Scroll to the right or use your mouse's trackball to find events and related resources.

An encyclopedia article that summarizes the changes that took place in Quebec during the Quiet Revolution.

This article explains the discontent that led to the Quebec referendum on independence from Canada in 1995 and what happened after the referendum failed.

This article describes the long history of the separatist movement in Canada.

This timeline provides key dates in the history of Indigenous suffrage. The timeline moves from 1885 to 2016.

An article that describes the Canadian point of view of the events of World War II and that discusses the impact of the war in Canada.

This War Museum link to the Afghanistan gallery has several sections that describe events in Afghanistan, accompanied by photos by journalists.

This resource from the Canadian War Museum is filled with images and information about the First World War, particularly the role of Canada and its soldiers.

Here's a chance to explore some of the great discoveries made by Canadian women; browse through the timeline to learn about some great Canadian women in STEM.

At the height of the FLQ crisis, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau is confronted by the media and responds with perhaps his most famous line. This impromptu CBC-TV interview has become an archives legend.

This is a 1974 CBC archive video about Nellie McClung's mock parliament of 1914 and her work as a suffragist.

The 1917 conscription debate was one of the fiercest and most divisive in Canadian political history. French-Canadians, as well as many farmers, unionized workers, non-British immigrants, and other Canadians, generally opposed the measure.

This is a 3 Dimensional audio experience. You must be wearing headphones to hear this re-enactment of a "pink tea", a historic meeting to advocate for women's rights to be considered "persons" and have an active role in government.

A museum site that share objects, photographs; and documents brought by immigrants into Canada

Paul Cowan's film the legal battle over abortion waged by Dr. Henry Morgentaler in Quebec and in federal courts between 1970 and 1976. This docudrama unravels the complexities of the case that began as a challenge to Canada's abortion laws and turned into a precedent-setting civil rights case.

Often referred to as the Father of Manitoba, Louis Riel, the leader of the Métis people of the Canadian Prairies, sought to preserve Métis rights and culture during a turbulent time in Canadian history.

This experimental augmented-reality narrative written by 83-year-old Joy Kogawa, one of Canada’s most acclaimed and celebrated literary figures. The story is told from the perspective of Yuki, a 17-year-old girl forced from her home and made to live in the Slocan internment camp during the Second World War. **Note: to enter the experience you must download the app to an Apple device

Zacharias Kunuk directed this documentary of the High Arctic Relocation in 1953 where the government relocated communities with promises of resources to improve land claims on a international stage. The documentary is told from an Inuit point of view. Inuktitut with English subtitles

This Canadian Museum of History site offers a view of the past, present and future of the electoral process in Canada. Take a journey through time, view the Timeline of events or visit the chronicles section.

Resources to use with students to explore Canada in the post-confederation period. If you click the links, you will be prompted to sign in. If you click the links, there is a sign-in prompt -- but you can bypass the sign-in by clicking the image instead and you will be able to access all the Google slides associated with that image

An article that sheds light on how the perspectives of Francophone Albertans about conscription during World War I varied from those of Francophone Québécois.

Explore a virtual village in Quebec in the late 19th/early 20th Century. Click on a building to see how its inhabitants work and live.

An encyclopedia article that examines the acts of genocide against Indigenous peoples in Canada

A news interactive from CBC that explores the 1917 explosion in Halifax Harbour

This video is about the Métis leader, Louis Riel, as he reflects upon his struggle for his people in the moments before his execution in November, 1885.

Canada's system of government began as an off-shoot of Great Britain's Westminster System, but over the years, has evolved into something uniquely Canadian. Learn the history of Canada's Parliament.

A column from the Edmonton Journal about the Supreme Court decision that established human rights for LGBTQ people in Canada

An article that looks at how Canada used internment of it's own citizens in both world wars.

In this video, Indigenous activists, artists and journalists Ian Campeau, Sarain Fox, Tanya Talaga, Jesse Wente and Riley Yesno examine the United Nations' definition of genocide and discuss the final report of the national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

This site examines that change in Canadian thinking about medical care -- how it changed from a commodity to a right in our country.

This video describes the building of Canada's National Railway. Not only did they make modern travel and trade possible, but they were also at the heart of Canada's growth as a nation.

This video describes the changing face of Canada during the early twentieth century.

This mural, which is physically located in the foyer of the Military Museums in Calgary, comprises 240 separate images in a 20-foot by 12-foot mosaic. From here, you can virtually explore the mural and the 240 tiles "that represent Canada’s military history from the Battle of 1812 to present day op...

This site documents the history of Métis people in Western Canada generally and specifically in Alberta.

This video reminds us of the contributions to WWI made by Black soldiers in Canada. A poem read during the video reveals the lack of recognition there was for their sacrifices.

A multipage article that explains the context and the events of the October Crisis in Quebec.

A news article looks back at the October Crisis in Quebec that devastated Canada in 1970

A site that examines what clothes reveal about daily life in the early days of a united Canada

Learn about how dogsleds came to be used for mail service in the Yukon

A teaching resource from Manitoba Education that encourages students to discuss the effects of assimilative policies on French language and culture in Canada.

A 2017 Quebec government report on the policy on Québec affirmation and Canadian relations.

This article explains the discontent that led to the Quebec referendum on independence from Canada in 1980 and the events that eventually led to a second referendum

This 2020 article in the Montreal Gazette looks back at the 1980 Quebec Referendum and the sharp divisions it exposed in Quebec society.

This is an extensive study of Sir Sandford Fleming, the man who participated in the construction of Canada's national railroad and who created the universal system of time zones. There are four sections; about the time he lived in, his immigration to Canada, his travels and his development of time as we know it.

This article tells the story of Sitting Bull's decision to lead his people out of the United States

This video from the Government of Canada describes the most famous tea parties in Canada. Learn about the Famous Five, their tea parties, and their fight to have women recognized as "persons" under the law.

This CBC article from April 2015 provides some background about Canada's involvement in the Vietnam War.

This CBC article from April 2015 describes the challenges of Vietnamese refugees, starting in 1975. The article also describes Canada's role in accepting refugees.

An article about Canada's role in World War II written from the perspectives of the Americans