Minds On
What is identity?
Explore the following video from Raven’s Quest to learn more about Myles from Manitoba.
Myles talks about his identity as a member of the Ojibwe community in Manitoba, one of the Indigenous communities in Canada.
Choose two of the following questions to answer.
You can share your ideas on the computer, orally, or on paper.
- Who are some people that are important to Myles?
- Where are some of the places that are important to Myles?
- What are some of the things that Myles likes to do?
Once you have answered these questions, it’s time to reflect on the following question:
What do you think identity means?
Action
Task 1: Part of my identity
Your identity is who you are. Your identity makes you special. It could reflect your hobbies or your favourite things. The people that you love are a part of your identity. Important places in your life are also a part of your identity.
Think about what makes you special, and then share your ideas.
Complete the All About Me Organizer in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. You may also share your ideas using a method of your choice.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the All About Me Organizer.
Task 2: What is important to me?
Let’s learn more about you! For this activity you will be discussing people, places, events, and parts of your life that are important to you. Record your ideas using a method of your choice.
Press each of the following items to learn more about what is important in someone’s life.
Myles shares with us about some important people in his life. He mentions his sisters, his friend Kingston, an elder in his community named Barb, and his grandpa. Myles tells us why these people are important in his life and how they help to make up his identity.
Who are some important people in your life? They might be a caring adult, a parent, or a guardian. They might be a sibling, a relative, or a friend. They might be a coach, a teacher, a pastor, or a rabbi or imam. Choose a few people in your life. Why are they important to you?
Myles shared with us some important places in his life. He mentioned his home, the hockey rink and the Sioux Valley First Nation. Myles shared why these are important places in his life. They help to make up his identity.
What are some important places in your community? Why are they important to you?
Myles shares with us about some events that are important to him. He mentions grass dancing at a powwow, the drum-making workshop at school, and offering tobacco to his elders and buffalo as a part of the Six Nations community of Sioux Valley. He shares why these events are important and how they help to make up his identity.
What are some important events in your life? Why are they important?
Myles shares with us about some important parts of his life. They include The Seven Grandfather Teachings, grass dancing, making dream catchers with his sisters, playing hockey with Kingston, cooking with his grandpa, and thanking the people and animals that are important to him. Myles explains why these important parts of his life help to make up his identity.
What are some important parts of your life? Why are they important to you?
The language we speak is a part of our identity. Myles speaks Ojibwe. Some Indigenous communities in Canada have had to hide their language which is a part of their identity. These communities are working hard to bring back their languages.
In the following video, children teach us how to count in the Ojibwe language.
Why is it important to teach and learn languages?
Why is language an important part of our identity?
Consolidation
All about me: Share and reflect
How can you share about the people, places, or moments in your life that are important to you? Using the information you gathered in the Action section, you could do one of the following:
- Create a recording explaining why the people, places, and moments in your life are important to you.
- Find a family member, friend, or partner, and share about the people, places, and moments in your life and how they help make up your identity.
- Create a drawing of the people, places, and moments in your life and how they help make up your identity.
Questions to consider
Are there people, places, or parts of your life that are similar to Myles’ life?
What is different between your life and Myles’ life?
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.
Discover MoreIt’s time to play a game to learn more about the lives and identities of different Indigenous kids across Canada! You will now access Raven’s Quest.
