Potential Response Guide: Aboriginal and Treaty Rights in Canada’s Constitution

There is no single set of correct answers to the case study card placement activity in Civic Action: Then and Now. Many cards could comfortably fit in more than one category: the discussion and reasoning are more important than the answer.

However, here is one possible set of responses that may be helpful to teachers.

Participating as an Individual
#	Activity card
1	Join a national protest: Individuals gave up several days to travel by train from Vancouver to Ottawa to protest on Parliament Hill.
2	Donate money: Individuals donated money to cover the $90,000 cost of renting two trains to bring protesters from Vancouver to Ottawa.
3	Bring food: At stops along the way, people brought food and gifts for the train passengers to help them on their journey.
4	Provide support: The Mayor of Ottawa personally welcomed protestors who arrived by train.
5	Step up as a leader: George Manuel, president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, came up with the idea of the “Constitution Express” train.

Working Together as a Group
#	Activity card
1	Bring leaders together: Hundreds of chiefs and elders from all provinces and territories (except Alberta) held the first All Canada Chiefs Assembly so they could work together on constitutional issues.
2	Create a way for people to take part: The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs rented two trains to bring groups of protesters from Vancouver to Ottawa.
3	Set up an action committee: The Inuit Committee on National Issues was created to present Inuit views on Canada’s Constitution.
4	Coordinate activities: First Nations groups arranged marches on Parliament Hill and at provincial legislatures.
5	Create a new national organization: The National Indian Brotherhood changed the way it was organized and became the Assembly of First Nations.

Building Public Support
#	Activity card
1	Educate others: First Nations activists organized a campaign to educate the public about Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.
2	Take it to the world: First Nations leaders travelled to Britain, Europe and the United Nations to tell an international audience about their cause.
3	Make it visible: About 1,000 First Nations protesters attracted attention by travelling from Vancouver to Ottawa aboard a train they called the “Constitution Express.”
4	Talk to the media: When the “Constitution Express” train arrived in Ottawa, First Nations activists spoke with journalists who spread the word about Aboriginal rights.
5	Build community awareness: The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs organized workshops across the province to educate First Nations communities about rights and treaty issues.

Working Through the Political System
#	Activity card
1	Lobby British lawmakers: Over 200 First Nations Chiefs travelled to England to meet British parliamentarians and convince them that Aboriginal rights needed to be protected.
2	Make presentations: First Nations, Métis and Inuit groups made many formal written and verbal presentations to the Canadian parliamentary committee that was working on the Constitution.
3	Meet with the Governor General: On behalf of the National Indian Brotherhood, National Chief Noel Starblanket met with the Governor General of Canada.
4	Petition the Queen: First Nations Chiefs took a petition to Queen Elizabeth (as head of state) to ask her and the British government to delay patriating the Constitution.
5	Discuss with Canadian decision makers: First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders met with politicians and government officials at all levels to express their concerns about the wording of the Constitution.
6	Work with elected representatives: Aboriginal activists asked Peter Ittinuar, the only Inuk member of Parliament, to arrange meetings with key decision makers on Parliament Hill.