This Web page has been archived on the Web.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Water School Kit for First Nations Children

Why was a water school kit produced for First Nations children?

Water is a Treasure was designed to:

• Increase awareness among First Nations children from Kindergarten to Grade 6 of the importance of clean, safe and reliable water.
• Supplement school curriculum with games and activities that promote the protection of water. Games include a water detective game, colouring sheets, matching game, a maze, draw me a story, write me a story, science activities and trivia cards.
• Provide materials for teachers that encourage children to exchange information about water habits at home, in their community, and help them recognize what they can do to protect water.

Why are you involving children?

This kit recognizes that we all have a role to play in protecting water, including children.

Involving children by coaching them on how to protect water as a national treasure is consistent with the government's objectives to make access to safe drinking water a co-ordinated effort.

Were First Nations teachers consulted?

Research and interviews were conducted with First Nations teachers in 10 First Nations schools across Canada prior to designing the kit. This was done to determine what kind of material would best appeal to First Nations children.

Once designed, the games and activities incorporated comments from First Nations children and teachers.

Was this kit tested with First Nations children?

Yes, Water is a Treasure was sent to two First Nations schools in Ontario for their feedback from students in Grade 1 to Grade 6.

Their reaction was positive. For example, both younger and older students gave us positive feedback on the poster. This large and colourful poster doubles as a game, "Water Detectives", designed to engage and instruct children on safe and healthy water use in their communities.

The goal of "Water Detectives" is to find the images in the poster key on the poster. These images depict actions that are best for us, the water and the environment or actions that can harm us, the water and the environment.

Several students, particularly the older ones, were interested in the poster and enjoyed searching out the positive and negative uses of water within the images. Not only did the poster grab the attention of the older students but it evoked strong feelings from them about the importance of water to their community.

Younger students especially enjoyed the bright colour scheme and the learning activities. As with the older group, the poster led to an unprompted discussion on issues related to water within their community.

Did you receive any feedback from other First Nations?

Yes. The water school kit was showcased Feb. 6-8, 2007 in Toronto at the National Housing and Water Policy Forum and Tradeshow hosted by the Assembly of First Nations. Feedback from several Chiefs was highly positive.

What role did Health Canada and Environment Canada play in this project?

Health Canada and Environment Canada were partners in this project. The Assembly of First Nations was consulted during the creation of the kit and has endorsed the project.

Is this kit part of the First Nations School curriculum?

No. Water is a Treasure is supplementary material and to be used as the teacher sees fit. Furthermore, the kit can be used outside of the classroom in a variety of settings such as summer camps and after-school programs.

How much did the water kit cost?

Production, printing and shipping of the school kit cost $185,000.

What is the distribution plan for the kit?

Some 6,885 kits are being sent to 557 schools nationwide that are either operated by the Band, and to federally or provincially operated schools where more than 20 per cent of the student population is First Nation.

It is also being sent to 42 Band Councils north of 60^° (in Yukon and N.W.T.), and to the three territorial Departments of Education.