Lesson Plan: Annie of Red River (This Place: 150 Years Retold)

By: Charlene Camillo and Kerry Day

Charlene Camillo

Education Collaborator

Charlene Camillo is from the Moose Cree First Nation and of Italian heritage. She is a teacher and coach in the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB).

From 2016-2022, Charlene was the Learning Coordinator in TVDSB for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education. In this role, she led professional learning for staff and helped to develop various opportunities for Indigenous students. She also created lesson plans and resources for use in classrooms, and shared best practices in bringing Indigenous content into schools.

Charlene taught multiple subjects from 2010-2016 at Saunders Secondary School in London, ON. In 2022, she returned to Saunders and has been teaching History and Indigenous Studies while coaching Girls Basketball and Girls Hockey, and supporting the Indigenous Student Association.

Charlene has been fortunate to work with multiple First Nations as a teacher and a coach. She continues to take feedback and learning from Indigenous students and families to provide opportunities for staff and students to enhance their knowledge of Indigenous experiences.

Kerry Day

Education Collaborator

Graduating from Western University (B.Ed), Kerry Day began teaching English and History in the Thames Valley District School Board in 2000. For the last decade she has learned alongside Indigenous students and educators, creating literacy resources focused on Indigenous voices.

Recommended Grade Level

Timing

9-12/Sec V

This lesson and activity should take place over two 60-75 minute periods.

Materials

Handout – can be printed on two pieces of paper (front and back) or into a 4 page booklet,
Computer, projector, and speakers,
Bin or box for snowball activity on Day 1, and
A copy of This Place: 150 Years Retold or the podcast version (Annie of Red River episode), available here.

Notes for Teachers

It is highly recommended that teachers listen to the podcast prior to using this lesson to gain more information about this story, and it is a must to listen to prior to sharing the podcast with students.
Review the slideshow and see the speaker notes for supporting information and/or further directions.
Review student responses before any sharing back to the class to avoid any misinformed and/or offensive responses entering the classroom environment.

Learning Goals

Enhance learning and understanding of the Métis Nation,
Enhance learning about Indigenous women, and
Enhance learning about examples of Indigenous resistance in the past and present.

Content Warnings

As teachers introduce the story about Annie on day 1 of this lesson, they must let students know that the story that will be covered in Day 2 contains sexual harassment in one scene. Students need to be made aware of this and that they can see the teacher before the day 2 lesson to learn more about the contents of the story and ensure they are comfortable with being in class for day 2 or if an alternative plan should be made together.
The during/after reading questions may evoke emotional reactions in students. Question #3 on page 3 of the handout could lead students to make connections to the unjust treatment of Indigenous women today, including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Colonialism is linked to violence against Indigenous women and making reference to the ongoing treatment of Indigenous women should be part of the teacher’s reflection of this story when making connections to today. Educators should read this report.
Page 11 includes the word “savage” to reference how the Métis feel they are perceived to settlers/Canadians. This is an opportunity to share the history of the word and why it should not be part of our vocabulary today. Here is a resource to support this learning.
The word “newcomers” is used within the story as well, and students will need to be informed that the context of the word in the story is used similarly to new “settlers” during this time period, and not “newcomers” as it is used today in reference to people that are new residents of Canada.
Teachers must share that Annie’s act of violence in resistance is not how Indigenous Peoples share their resistance today. Peaceful acts of resistance, including Idle No More are part of the closing activities to the lesson.

Lesson Outline

Lesson Materials

Annie of Red River Day 1 Slideshow

Note: A Google Slides version of the slideshow is available here with all speaker notes.

Annie of Red River Day 1 Slideshow Download

Annie of Red River Day 2 Slideshow

Note: A Google Slides version of the slideshow is available here with all speaker notes.

Annie of Red River Day 2 Slideshow Download

Annie of Red River Handout

Annie of Red River Handout Download

Lesson Steps

Day 1

Welcome students and complete any opening routines you usually do as a class.
Have the day 1 slideshow ready to go on a computer and projector.
Review slide 2 with the class. Provide time for students to think about the two questions that are included on the photo/title page of the story. Teachers can use the think, pair, share strategy if needed – students think on their own, share their thoughts with a partner/small group, and then have a student share a summary of the discussion with the group.
After students share their responses, move to slide 3 and allow time for the students to analyze this photo. Prompting questions for teachers are in the speaker notes of the slide.
Students can complete the chart on page 1 of the handout as they view slide 3.
Help students brainstorm some responses, and then walk around and view additional responses they record in their chart. Review responses as a class.
Lead students through slides 5 to 13 to help them learn more about Louis Riel and the Métis Nation.
After going over slide 13 together, students can complete page 2 of the handout, which will require access to the internet.
Circulate through the classroom and support student completion of page 2 as needed.
Before the end of class, share slides 15 and 16 to provide more information about the story that will be part of Day 2.
Content warning – ensure students are informed that the story in day 2 does include sexual harassment – unwanted physical contact.
If time remains in class, read aloud the introduction to the story that is on page 2 of This Place.

Day 2

Welcome students and complete any opening routines you usually do as a class.
Have the day 2 slideshow ready to go on a computer and projector.
Read and/or review the introduction to “Annie of Red River” on page 2 of This Place or via the podcast.
Lead slides 4-10 to support student understanding of the formatting of graphic novels.
Lead slides 11-16 to help students understand the place and setting of the story.
Teachers can read the story aloud to the class while using the document camera and/or have the students read on their own if you have a class set of This Place.
Complete the during and after reading activities. Help students learn about Indigenous resistance today through the Idle No More movement.
Slide 20 – students may find information about local Idle No More events and/or you may preview videos of events that have taken place to show them. For example, many of the flashmob round dances are posted online.
Check in with students as needed if any may be impacted by the connections to the ongoing mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples today that were part of this lesson. Use slide 21 and provide small pieces of paper for students to complete an Exit Card so they have an opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings on the information shared in class.

Optional Extension Activity

Inspirational Indigenous women

Students often make connections that most stories in history are centred around men and students often express their interest in learning about history beyond the stories of men. This story was an opportunity to learn about a woman’s impact on history. Students could be supported with a research task or project to continue learning more about impactful Indigenous women in history after completing this lesson. They can also share about inspiring Indigenous women in their lives.

Website Resources