About this Guide

USING NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES OF CANADA TO TEACH HISTORY

Integral to the historic facts that are taught in history classes are the valuing of diversity and the promotion of respect for all persons. By using national historic sites of Canada in your history program, your students will learn about historically significant places, people, and events, and develop three key understandings:

• Canada is a country fortunate to have a wide variety of cultural and natural landscapes that have influenced the people within them. Examining the role of people in shaping places and events can help to break down stereotypes and build informed opinions.
• The Canadian identity that makes us different from people in other areas of the world is part of the heritage we pass on to our children. As Canadians, we can take part in the process of commemorating places, people, and events; doing so can build pride and unity.
• Knowing our own role in the making of history brings it alive and helps us develop an appreciation for our heritage and culture.
   

Since 1919, the Government of Canada has designated more than 850 sites, 500 persons, and 300 events as being of national historic importance. Together they comprise the system of national historic sites. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC), which consists of historians, archivists, and heritage activists, advises the Minister of Canadian Heritage on matters of historical commemoration. The HSMBC recommends the designation of new sites as well as persons and events of national historic significance. Commemoration can be in the form of a bilingual plaque, a monument, or the acquisition and administration by the Government of Canada of an actual site, or through a cost-sharing cooperative agreement.

These national historic sites, people, and events are organized in thematic areas in the National Historic Sites of Canada System Plan, which provides a comprehensive way of looking at Canadian history. This approach aims to build a system that truly represents the diversity of Canadian history. Implementation of the system plan depends on the active participation of individual Canadians, heritage partners, provinces, territories, municipalities, and the private sector across Canada.

A National Historic Site of Canada is a place that has been designated by the Government of Canada as being of national significance. People who have made an outstanding and lasting contribution to Canadian history may be designated as Persons of National Historic Significance. Events of National Historic Significance are designated if they represent a defining action, episode, movement, or experience in Canadian history.

The system plan has five broad, inter-related themes: Peopling the Land, Developing Economies, Building Social and Community Life, Governing Canada, and Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life. Each of these themes has a number of sub-themes. (See the Thematic Framework in About the Activities) Each activity in Our Roots, Our Future: Experiencing Canada's National Historic Sites in the Classroom is linked to at least one theme or sub-theme from the thematic framework.

The National Historic Sites of Canada System Plan is available here or by request to the System Development Branch, Parks Canada, 25 Eddy Street, Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0M5. Along with many images, this document provides a thorough explanation of the themes and sub-themes of the framework; a map of Canada showing the location of all the national historic sites; and lists of the national historic sites, national historic persons, and national historic events designated within each theme, along with a brief reason for their national significance.