1. Canadian History 11 Fundamental Questions What Is History?
The Importance of History
Skills and Strategies of the Historian
Thinking Like an Historian
Canada’s Cultural Identity and You
Investigating History Through Persistent Questions

2. Fundamental Questions
Why is it important that we understand the past?
In what ways is the study of the past an evolving and ongoing process?
What skills and strategies are necessary for historical investigation?
In what ways is the history of Canada complex and multifaceted?
What are the key persistent questions in Canada’s past and present?

3. Assignment
Read the prologue “Investigating Canada’s Past” pp. 2 – 9 in the textbook provided.
Through your reading develop answers to the five (5) fundamental questions. We will discuss these answers as a class once you are finished.

4. What Is History?
History involves the study of the events of the past and the implications that different interpretations of these events have on the present and the future.
History focusses on the past, but historical investigation is ongoing and evolving.

5. The Importance of History
Knowing the past can:
Help us better understand the events of today.
Help us foresee, and even shape the events that may take place in the future.

6. Skills and Strategies of the Historian
Historical empathy
Historical Agency
Historical Perspectives
Historical Justice
Critical analysis
Original Research

7. Skills and Strategies of the Historian
Avoiding historical Hindsight
Detecting historical bias
Understanding the complexity of issues
Abstract Thinking
Critical Thinking
Respecting differing opinions and interpretations
The Canadian Encyclopedia Website

8. Thinking Like an Historian
Historical issues are complex
They require us to develop and use skills to unlock, interpret and understand the many points of view taken in historical analysis

9. Canada’s Cultural Identity and You
Our views of the past and the values we apply to them are influenced by who we are – this is called bias.
Some predetermined influences include our family, traditions, language, gender, race, culture, and so on.
Those that are not predetermined include school, friends, careers and so on.
Since, individually, we have ideas about Canada’s identity defining a common identity can be difficult in a multicultural country.

10. Investigating History Through Persistent Questions
History is not just dates and facts
It requires researching and interpreting solutions to persistent questions
Persistent Questions are those that are unresolved over many generations

11. The Key Persistent Questions
What has been Canada's place in the community of nations, and what should Canada's role be?
2. How has the Canadian economy evolved in an attempt to meet the needs and wants of all Canadian people?

12. The Key Persistent Questions
Have governments in Canada, past and present, been reflective of Canadian societies?
How have struggles for sovereignty defined and continue to define Canada?
How has Canada struggled for a just and fair society?

13. LeBel, S. and Orr, J. Canada’s History: Voices and Visions,
Toronto, Gage 2003.