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Anishinaabe Kinship Systems

Anishinaabe Kinship Systems preview

About This Resource

This awareness-level lesson introduces students to how Anishinaabe people understand family beyond biological connections, emphasizing shared experiences and clan structures to strengthen relationships and community well-being.

Student Organization

Whole Class or Small Groups

Materials Needed

Writing tools: pencils, markers, colored pencils or crayons.

Time Required

1 hour, 20 minutes – 1 hour, 45 minutes

Learners will…

  • Be able to identify the way in which many Anishinaabe people value family and community.
  • Be able to recognize that family can include people beyond biological connections.
  • Be able to notice how Anishinaabe relationships strengthen community well-being and appreciate the importance of caring for one another.

Essential Questions

  • What can we learn from Anishinaabe ways of defining family that can help us build stronger & kinder communities?
  • How are Anishinaabe family structures alike or different from non-Anishinaabe family structures?

Lesson Plan Materials

  • Powerpoint
    • Diverse family cards 
    • Visual slide of Binooji Family diagram
  • “Drawing A Family” worksheet
  • Anishinaabe Family Cards
  • Non-Anishinaabe Family Cards

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