Grade 8 · Social Studies · Unit 2 of 4
Land, Treaties & History
What shapes who we are as Canadians
What your child practises
How the land has shaped Canadian identity, the treaty relationship, and key events such as Confederation, residential schools, the Charter and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This is introductory and needs review with First Nations and Métis partners.
Saskatchewan Curriculum outcome: DR8.1–DR8.3 · the significance of the land and the treaty relationship, and how historical events have shaped Canadian identity
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
What is reconciliation?
🤲- winning an argument
- building respectful relationships by addressing past harms
- forgetting the past
- taking sides
Show answer
building respectful relationships by addressing past harms
Hint: Reconciliation takes actions by governments and by individuals.
Question 2
Which feature of the land has shaped Canadian identity? Tap an item, then tap its basket.
Sort into: 🏞️ shaped by the land · ❌ not about the land
- 📱a rule about cell phones
- 🛶canoes and rivers in stories
- 🌾the vastness of the prairies and the north
- ⛸️winter sports like skating
- 🎮a made-up video game
- 🍜a recipe from another country
Show answer
🏞️ shaped by the land: canoes and rivers in stories, the vastness of the prairies and the north, winter sports like skating · ❌ not about the land: a rule about cell phones, a made-up video game, a recipe from another country
Hint: Canada's identity has been shaped by its large, varied land, its long winters and its many waterways.
Question 3
How do events like Vimy Ridge and the Charter help shape national identity?
🍁- they become shared stories and values for people in Canada
- they are forgotten
- they are only for soldiers
- they are only for lawyers
Show answer
they become shared stories and values for people in Canada
Hint: National identity is built from shared stories, values and symbols.
Question 4
A historical event is often described differently by different people because…
👥- history is made up
- only one story exists
- no one remembers
- people have different experiences and perspectives
Show answer
people have different experiences and perspectives
Hint: Multiple perspectives give a fuller picture.
Question 5
What was the purpose of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission?
🕊️- to learn about residential schools and recommend ways to move forward
- to choose a flag
- to count the population
- to win a sports game
Show answer
to learn about residential schools and recommend ways to move forward
Hint: It issued 94 Calls to Action in 2015.
Question 6
Why do people study history?
📚- because it is easy
- to avoid the present
- to memorize every date only
- to understand how the past shapes the present
Show answer
to understand how the past shapes the present
Hint: History helps explain who we are.