CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES: Family and Friends
ACTIVITY TWO: A Mock Country Wedding
Props Needed
Some simple costumes—look at some examples in books about the era.
Some gifts to exchange (can be made or pretend: horse, rifle, cooking pots, beads, Hudson's Bay blankets).
Blankets or pieces of cardboard as tents.
A description of a wedding "à la façon du pays" or according to the Custom of the
Country.
Cast of Characters
- Groom: a fur trader (of Scottish origin)
- Bride: a young First Nations girl (12–17 years old)
- Bride's father: perhaps a chief
- Extras: bride's family members, other people of her tribe, some fur trader buddies of the groom
Other Jobs
- Director: tells everybody what to do.
- Writers: write the script for actors.
- Props People: make and put up the sets, take down afterwards.
- Wardrobe People: make or collect the costumes and take care of them.
Instructions
1) Read the description of country weddings in "Country Wives and
Other Fur Trade Women" in this website.
2) Act out the wedding as you think it may have really happened.
Possible discussion topics:
- How you would feel if you were: the bride; the groom; the bride's
parents?
- If you were the bride, how many horses would your dad want for you?
- Will there be an exchange of gifts?
- Are there cultures where a similar tradition still exists?
- How are today's weddings different, for different cultures and religions within Canada?
- Will you get to choose your own spouse one day? Can you leave them if you are unhappy?
For Teachers
These activities are meant to supplement your classroom lessons and help to
achieve the following Social Studies 5 Learning Outcomes:
- Develop alternative interpretations from varied sources.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Canadian culture.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the contributions of Aboriginal peoples, the French, and the British to the development of Canada.
- Demonstrate understanding of equality in Canada.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the history of Aboriginal
people's rights.
