Science 7 -- Ecosystem Shift: Aquatic (Indigenous Knowledge Lesson Plan)

• Main Authors: Karsgaard, Carrie, Mackay, Mackenzie, Catholique, Alexandria
• Other Authors: Parlee, Brenda
• Format: Course Material
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: environmental impacts; human impacts; environmental change; resource development; local and traditional knowledge; Mackenzie River Basin; Mackenzie River; Mackenzie river
• Online Access: https://era.library.ualberta.ca/items/6fc3ecb1-40a1-46ef-976f-ef14f6e0cb9f; https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-9ecy-d648

This lesson meets cross-curricular outcomes for Science 7 and Social Studies 7. Students will learn about Indigenous knowledge of freshwater ecosystems in the Mackenzie River Basin, which is within the circumpolar region, including how Indigenous peoples track environmental impacts of industrial projects. Industrial projects are becoming more commonplace in the Mackenzie River Basin, causing changes in the local aquatic ecosystem. One key ecosystem shift is the change in fish habitat, health, and population. Students will learn the significant relationship between humans, their environment and the consequences of human activities on the environment. This lesson introduces students to the implications/consequences of human activities and how these changes have been noticed and recorded by sharing important quotes from Elders, Land Users and community members who have noticed a shift in fish health and populations.