Contemporary Indigenous Arts in the Classroom

This project aims to provide elementary and high school–level teachers with curriculum-linked lesson plans designed by contemporary Indigenous artists. The goal is to build students’ cultural competence and respect for diverse Indigenous peoples, while encouraging critical thinking about colonialism in Canada. 

Ottawa-based artists Jaime Koebel (Métis, Cree) and Barry Ace (Anishinaabe), have each developed an art lesson for elementary and high school level students respectively. The lesson plans below give step-by-step instructions and materials lists, and propose question topics for further reflection and class discussion. The lessons have been linked to the Ontario Arts Curriculum and may be adapted for use in other provinces or educational contexts outside of the classroom. 

Bilingual publication, in English and in French