Cree Identity Celebration

Overview

This 30-minute lesson is designed for a class of 15 first graders to explore Cree identity, community values, and gratitude through a culturally responsive English Language Arts (ELA) experience. The focus is aligned with Canadian (CA) and Saskatchewan learning outcomes and the Treaty outcome HC13, fostering respect for Indigenous knowledge and nature-based living.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Develop an understanding of Cree identity and cultural values related to community, gratitude, and celebration (Saskatchewan ELA CR1.1).
• Engage in oral language development through storytelling and a shared circle discussion.
• Express personal reflections in a simple written format by composing a letter of thanks.
• Connect learning to broader social responsibility themes, including respect for nature and community roles (Treaty Outcome HC13).

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Curriculum Connections

• Saskatchewan ELA Curriculum: CR1.1
  Comprehend and respond to a variety of texts related to identity, community, and social responsibility.
• Treaty Education Outcome HC13:
  Explore ways people meet their needs from nature and the land.
• CA Indigenous Education Principles:
  Respect for Indigenous knowledge, culture, and oral traditions is embedded through storytelling and reflection.
• Developmental Appropriateness:
  Supports early literacy, oral language skills, social-emotional learning, and fine motor skills (drawing/painting).

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Materials

• Book: Grandmother What Is a Feast by Sandra Samatte (physical or digital copy)
• Chart paper and markers for shared circle notes
• Writing paper and pencils/crayons
• Drawing or painting supplies (watercolours, coloured pencils)
• Photo of a traditional Cree feast or nature scene (optional visual support)

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Lesson Procedure

1. Engagement & Introduction (5 minutes)

• Gather students in a cozy reading area. Show the cover of Grandmother What Is a Feast and ask:

  • “What do you think a feast is?”
  • “Have you ever been to a celebration with your family or community?”

• Briefly introduce the Cree culture context to connect to students’ own identities, explaining that this story is about family, nature, and thankfulness.

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2. Read Aloud (10 minutes)

• Read Grandmother What Is a Feast aloud with expressive voice and pausing for comprehension checks.

• Ask open-ended questions during reading:

  • “Why does Grandmother say a feast is important?”
  • “What kinds of things do you notice about the land or animals in the story?”

• Encourage students to relate the story to their own experiences and feelings about family or community celebrations.

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3. Shared Circle Discussion (5 minutes)

• Arrange students in a circle to share thoughts using a “talking stick” or special item to ensure respectful listening.

• Prompt discussion with guiding questions:

  • “What does being part of a community mean to you?”
  • “How do you show gratitude to others in your family or community?”
  • “Can you think of something in nature that helps you and your family?”

• Record key concepts on chart paper (community, gratitude, celebration, nature).

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4. Reflective Writing & Artistic Expression (8 minutes)

• Invite students to think about someone in their community who shows gratitude or helps others.
• Guide them to write a short letter of thanks (with peer or teacher support as needed). For example:
  • “Dear [Name], thank you for…”
• After writing, students create a drawing or painting that represents something from the book, their letter, or their community—such as a feast, a natural scene, or family/group celebration.

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5. Sharing & Closure (2 minutes)

• Invite a few volunteers to share their letters and artwork with the class.
• Reinforce the lesson’s theme: “We are thankful for our community and the land that gives us what we need.”
• Encourage students to give their letters to the person they wrote to, fostering real-world connections.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observe student participation during reading, discussion, and sharing for comprehension and oral expression.
• Written Work: Review letters for evidence of understanding gratitude and community.
• Artistic Expression: Assess creativity and ability to visually represent ideas from the story and discussion.

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Extensions & Adaptations

• For ELL or reluctant writers: Allow drawing only or sentence starters to scaffold writing.
• Family Involvement: Send a note home inviting family conversations about community feasts or celebrations.
• Cross-Curricular Integration: Connect with social studies or science through a garden/nature walk to explore local natural resources.

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Reflection for Educators

This lesson builds in Indigenous perspectives through storytelling and invites learners to make personal connections, embodying respectful engagement with cultural identity. The shared circle nurtures a safe, inclusive classroom community and models oral language practices.

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This thoughtful and interactive approach ensures students not only learn about Cree identity but also experience social responsibility and gratitude through authentic, meaningful ELA literacy opportunities.