Name:_____________________________________
Author study: Richard Wagamese
A brief Web-based journey to gain an understanding of
Richard Wagamese’s life and times, writing, and residential schools in Canada
Using Mrs. Taylor’s class website, genevievetaylor.pbworks.com, scroll through the English 12
calendar to Tuesday, October 15th. There, you will find a variety of website links and links to poems
from Wagamese’s book of poems Runaway Dreams. Please follow the guiding questions as you take
a virtual tour of these sites. Answer the questions on this sheet of paper in the lined space provided.
Guiding questions:
Part One: Author study
1. Go to the first link and read “Richard Wagamese on Hockey, Residential Schools and our
National Identity.” In your own words, record why Richard Wagamese wrote about
residential schools in his novel, Indian Horse.
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2. Go to the second link and read “A history of residential schools in Canada.” Record three
pieces of information that you did not know about the history of residential schools in
Canada.
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3. Go to the third link and read the print summary of the video “A Long-Awaited Apology for
Residential Schools.” You may wish to watch some of the video; however, it is rather long, so
choose a small section to watch. In your own words, explain why it was important for the
Canadian Government to acknowledge the history of residential schools in Canada with an
apology?
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You may wish to explore the final link
http://www.wherearethechildren.ca/en/ for further information on residential schools.
Now, please read the three poem links by Richard Wagamese from Runaway Dreams (book of poetry)
"Ojibway Graveyard" (81) Didactic Poetry
"Grandfather Talking--Whitedog Dam" (56)
"Paul Lake Morning" (41) Descriptive poetry—COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS POEM
*You can complete both assignments directly on the assignment sheet as a Word document. Simply
open the link from the website and work on the Word document. Print and submit when you’re
done!
Mini author/theme study:
Richard Wagamese and Residential schools
Links:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2012/05/richard-wagamese-on-hockey-residential-schools-and-our-national-identity.html:
Information about Richard Wagamese and his book Indian Horse
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2008/05/16/f-faqs-residential-schools.html:
FAQs about Residential schools in Canada
http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/society/education/a-lost-heritage-canadas-residential-schools/a-long-awaitedapology.html:
Apology by Prime Minister Harper to residential school students
http://www.wherearethechildren.ca/en/ An interactive website about the history of residential schools in
Canada
from Runaway Dreams (book of poetry)
"Ojibway Graveyard" (81) Didactic Poetry
"Grandfather Talking--Whitedog Dam" (56)
"Paul Lake Morning" (41) Descriptive poetry--ASSIGNMENT