Guiding Question for Student Leaders

What values should guide Canada when there are discussions about more provincial or territorial autonomy, while respecting Treaties and protecting Indigenous peoples and minority groups?

Central Focus

How discussions about provincial or territorial autonomy in Canada affect land, rights, education, and whether people feel a sense of belonging and inclusion in the places where they live.

Students will explore how decisions about power and independence are not just political, but deeply connected to who feels welcome, valued, and able to succeed, especially Indigenous peoples and minorities.

Student Task Overview

Student leaders will work on this team to:

• Study real examples of provincial and territorial autonomy discussions

• Identify values that promote belonging and inclusion in provinces and territories

• Develop a values‑based proposal to the Government of Canada that protects rights and supports all communities

Process Step 1: Understanding the Bigger Picture

Key Ideas Students Explore

• Provinces and territories sometimes want more control or independence

• These discussions affect:

  • Land and borders

  • Indigenous Treaties and agreements

  • Education systems

  • Language, culture, belonging, and inclusion

Guiding Questions

• Why might a province or territory want more autonomy?

• Who feels included—or excluded—when these discussions take place?

• What happens when decisions focus on the majority but ignore minorities?

Process Step 2: Land, Treaties, and Authority

Inquiry Focus

Students examine who the land belongs to and who must be involved in decisions for people to feel respected and included.

Guiding Questions

• What is the difference between Indigenous territories, settler‑drawn borders, and provincial or territorial boundaries?

• Why do Treaties and unceded land still matter today?

• How does respecting Treaties help create a sense of belonging for Indigenous peoples?

Process Step 3: Indigenous Peoples and Decision‑Making

Inquiry Focus

Understanding consent, respect, and inclusion in decision‑making.

Guiding Questions

• What role should Indigenous Nations play in discussions about autonomy?

• Why is being consulted different from being an equal decision‑maker?

• How does inclusion strengthen trust and fairness in Canada?

Process Step 4: Education, Language, and Belonging

Inquiry Focus

How education and language policies can either support inclusion or push people out.

Guiding Questions

• How do education systems help students feel they belong?

• What happens when students cannot learn in a language or culture that supports them?

• How can provinces protect a main language or culture while still being welcoming and inclusive?

Process Step 5: Mobility, Democracy, and Inclusion

Inquiry Focus

Who gets to stay, participate, and have a voice.

Guiding Questions

• If families leave because they cannot succeed, what does that say about inclusion?

• How does excluding people—directly or indirectly—weaken democracy?

• Why is belonging important for strong communities and fair decision‑making?

Process Step 6: Defining the Values (Core Student Work)

Student Challenge

Students are not given values — they must create them.

In teams, students identify 3–5 guiding values that should shape autonomy discussions and promote belonging and inclusion across provinces and territories.

Values may relate to:

• Respect for Indigenous sovereignty and Treaties

• Equity, inclusion, and shared belonging

• Fair and accessible education

• Protection of language and culture without exclusion

• Shared responsibility toward all residents, not only the majority population

Students must explain:

• What each value means

• How it supports belonging and inclusion

• Why Canada should protect this value

Final Collaborative Outcome

Students from different provinces and territories work together to create:

A Student Proposal to the Government of Canada that includes:

1. 3–5 guiding values that promote belonging and inclusion

2. An explanation of how these values:

   • Respect Indigenous land and Treaty rights

   • Protect minorities and marginalized groups

   • Support inclusive education systems

   • Fit within Canada’s legal and democratic structure

3. A concluding response to the guiding question:
   
   How can Canada discuss autonomy in a way that makes everyone feel they belong and are respected?
   
   Why This Matters

This inquiry helps students understand that:

• Autonomy discussions shape who belongs in Canada

• Education and language policies affect inclusion and opportunity

• Respecting Treaties strengthens fairness and trust

• Young people have a voice in building inclusive futures

PROVIDED MATERIALS - DOCUMENTS FOURNIS 

 Saskatchewan

Indigenous Land, Treaties, and Education

• Government of Saskatchewan – First Nations and Métis Education
  Explains how treaty education, Indigenous languages, and Indigenous perspectives are included in Saskatchewan schools.
  🔗 https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/education-and-learning/first-nations-and-metis-education [saskatchewan.ca]
  
  

• Indigenous Saskatchewan Encyclopedia (University of Saskatchewan)
  Historical and legal overview of treaties, Indigenous land, and education in Saskatchewan.
  🔗 https://teaching.usask.ca/indigenoussk/import/Indigenous_education.php [teaching.usask.ca]
  
  

• Inspiring Success: First Nations and Métis PreK‑12 Education Policy Framework
  Official provincial framework showing responsibilities toward Indigenous students.
  🔗 https://pubsaskdev.blob.core.windows.net/pubsask-prod/107115/107115-Inspiring_Success_Policy_Framework.pdf [pubsaskdev...indows.net]
  
  

Language and Education Policy

• Indigenous Language Education Policy in Canada – Saskatchewan
  Clear explanation of language‑of‑instruction laws and limits on non‑English instruction.
  🔗 https://indigenouslanguagepolicy.ca/saskatchewan/ [indigenous...epolicy.ca]

🇨🇦 Ontario

Indigenous Rights and Education

• Government of Ontario – Indigenous Education in Ontario
  Official overview of Indigenous education councils, language supports, and graduation programs.
  🔗 https://www.ontario.ca/page/indigenous-education-ontario [ontario.ca]
  
  

• Chiefs of Ontario – Indigenous Language Framework Report
  Indigenous‑led analysis of access, language loss, and policy impacts in Ontario schools.
  🔗 https://education.chiefs-of-ontario.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/COO-Final-Report-Language-Framework-Recommendations.pdf [education....ntario.org]
  
  

Minority‑Language Education and Autonomy

• Canada–Ontario Agreement on Minority‑Language Education (2025)
  Explains constitutional minority‑language rights and provincial responsibilities.
  🔗 https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2025/10/governments-of-canada-and-ontario-sign-a-bilateral-agreement-on-minority-language-education-and-second-language-instruction.html [canada.ca]

🇨🇦 Quebec

Sovereignty, Language Laws, and Education

• The Canadian Encyclopedia – Bill 101 (Charter of the French Language)
  Neutral, student‑appropriate history of Quebec’s language law and its effects on education and rights.
  🔗 https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/bill-101 [thecanadia...lopedia.ca]
  
  

• Éducaloi – Charter of the French Language Explained
  Plain‑language explanation of student eligibility, English schooling, and current rules.
  🔗 https://educaloi.qc.ca/en/capsules/charter-of-the-french-language/ [educaloi.qc.ca]
  
  

Indigenous Sovereignty and Provincial Power

• Journalists for Human Rights – Quebec Constitution and Indigenous Sovereignty (2026)
  Contemporary analysis of Quebec autonomy debates and Indigenous consent.
  🔗 https://jhrmcgill.ssmu.ca/2026/04/01/the-quebec-constitution-and-its-impact-on-indigenous-sovereignty/ [jhrmcgill.ssmu.ca]

🇨🇦 New Brunswick

Bilingualism and Education

• Government of New Brunswick – Bilingualism and Education
  Explains the province’s dual education system and official language obligations.
  🔗 https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/immigration/why-choose-nb/bilingualism.html [www2.gnb.ca]
  
  

• Canada–New Brunswick Minority‑Language Education Agreement (2025)
  Shows how education supports linguistic rights and population stability.
  🔗 https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2025/09/governments-of-canada-and-new-brunswick-sign-bilateral-agreement-on-minority-language-education-and-second-official-language-instruction.html [canada.ca]
  
  

Language, Identity, and Democracy

• Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages (NB)
  Research on how language and education affect social inclusion and democracy.
  🔗 https://officiallanguages.nb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/OCOLNB-LANGUAGE-AND-SOCIETY-APRIL-2022.pdf [officialla...ages.nb.ca]

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