The Law Commission of Canada’s mandate and this year’s theme for the Roderick A. Macdonald Contest can easily fit into the daily lessons and discussions that take place in your class. The following are some ideas to help introduce and incorporate the theme of Canadian cultural diversity and the Law Commission of Canada into the curriculum:
Cross-cultural “heritage” interviews:
Students will break off into partners to explore each other’s unique culture or heritage. Partners ask each other a series of questions, such as: a) What is your cultural background? b) How does your family help you to define your heritage? c) Do your friends help you define your heritage? d) Have you ever felt insecure about your culture or the traditions you observe? e) How has your environment or upbringing influenced your cultural identity? f) What challenges do you believe your culture faces in Canada? Each student then shares with the class what they have discovered about their partner. Online Blog:
Students can research a particular culture, religion or issue arising within multiculturalism, then write a week’s worth of blog entries assuming the character of an individual facing those issues or living within the chosen culture. What is this individual dealing with on a regular basis? How does he/she relate to other cultures, or individuals of other beliefs? Mosaic:
Have each student contribute to a mosaic by creating a piece of art under the theme of cultural diversity. Have them select or create an image that represents multiculturalism, or one that depicts the challenges we as a nation face as we become more culturally diverse. Awareness Poster or Video Campaign:
Students should design a poster or create a 30-second to one-minute video public service announcement that promotes awareness of cultural diversity within their school. These posters/videos must appeal to teenagers so they should be colourful and thought-provoking, and incite action on the part of the student body. In addition, their awareness campaign should include one key fact about cultural diversity. Have students devise a “scheduling” plan, to display the posters around the school, or give times/instances/occasions when their video could be shown. Research Project:
There are times when cultural and religious traditions clash with individual human rights (e.g. debate over the use of Muslim Sharia law in family law arbitration in Ontario and Quebec; the right of a Jehovah’s Witness to refuse a blood transfusion). Students should research a specific issue, provide the facts of the situation, and then provide their own opinions with a rationale on how Canada and Canadian laws could help reconcile these tensions and competing interests. Law Reform - Interview:
Laws are subject to the evolving community standards that exist within our society. How does a society go about changing laws, especially as they pertain to our society’s diverse cultural practices? What role does the Law Commission of Canada play in making this happen? There are organizations at federal, provincial and territorial levels dedicated to law reform. Interview and profile staff or volunteer members at one of these organizations and write a story on how their actions help shape Canada’s cultural laws, or their views on current cultural legislation (the Multiculturalism Act, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, etc). Web resources:
Law Commission of Canada http://www.lcc.gc.ca
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/charter/
Canadian Heritage http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/
The Multiculturalism Act http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/C-18.7/
Canadian Ethnic Studies Association http://www.ucalgary.ca/CESA/ TEACHERS/STUDENTS: It doesn’t stop here! There are more ways to bring the theme into your classroom. We want to hear how YOU turned the Roderick A. Macdonald Contest and its theme into interactive classroom activities. Please send all suggestions and feedback to: info-rodmacdonald@lcc.gc.ca | 
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