1. Historical Significance
The First Nations and Inuit Economies
European Economies
First Contact

2. Historical Significance = Importance The impact +
What the person or event reveals
The Story

3. To determine historical significance, ask these questions:
*Does the event (or actions of the person) result in a deep change or consequence? Did it reveal something?
*Does the person or event shed light on an issue? Why do historians pay so much attention to this?
*Is this person or event meaningful to the story?

4. How does this Dutch painting of the 17th century have to do with the Canada we know today?

5. Johannes Vermeer “Officer and The Laughing Girl”

6. What is the historical significance of this painting for us
What is the historical significance of this painting for us? Without the historical person, place or thing, we may not have the life we have today. Do you believe me?
HINT: There is an object in the painting that has special importance in our history.

7. And The Answer Is......
This little fur hat was made from beaver felt which the traders got from....Canada. This was the start of the economic system we have today in Canada which includes buying , selling and trading.

8. But
The hat has no significance without the story. The story is what gives the hat significance. By itself, it is not important....It is just a hat.

9. Paintings of First Contact
What do they tell us?
Whose point of view do they show?

10. Paintings of First Contact
Who were the artists?
What is the relationship between the two groups?