NUNAVUT

St.John’s

Winnipeg

Whitehorse

Victoria

Charlottetown

Fredericton

ReginaQuébec

City

Iqaluit

Halifax

Ottawa

Edmonton

Yellowknife

Toronto

A R C T I C

HUDSONBAY

ATLANTICOCEAN

ARCTICOCEAN

PACIFIC OCEAN

GREAT LAKES–ST. LAWRENCE

LOWLANDS

YUKON

NORTHWESTTERRITORIES

QUÉBEC

NOVA SCOTIA

NEW BRUNSWICK

PRINCEEDWARDISLAND

ONTARIO

MANITOBA

ALBERTAAND LABRADOR

NEWFOUNDLAND

BRITISHCOLUMBIA

SASKATCHEWANC

AN

AD I A N S H I E L D

INT

ER

I OR

P L A I N S

CO

RD

ILLE

RA

HUDSON BAY

LOWLANDS

A P P A L A C H I A N

W E

N

S0 180 km

Canada is made up of ten provinces and three territories. It is also divided into regions. As you learn about Canada, you will discover the gifts of each region. People often choose to live in a region because of these gifts. Each region also has challenges. These challenges make us stop and ask how we can better use the gifts of God and care for what has been given to us.

Hi, I’m Noah. I’m from Vancouver, British Columbia. That’s in the Cordillera region.

Hi, I’m Sasha. I live in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan. That’s in the Interior Plains region.

Hi, I’m Mati. I’m from Fort Severn, Ontario. That’s in the Hudson Bay Lowlands region.

Political and Regional Map of CanadaCanada’s

Regions

Saint John Paul II said ...

Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship.

Our Faith

Unit 1 Canada’s Regions

national capitalprovince/territory capitalcity/towninternational boundaryprovince/territory boundary

Legend

Unit 1 Big ldeas•Howdohumanactivity

and the environment affect each other?

•Howcanwebalanceour needs and wants with stewardship of the environment?

•HowaretheregionsofCanada similar and different?

Hi, I’m Peter. I’m from Inuvik, Northwest Territories. That’s in the Arctic region.

Hi, I’m Madeleine. I’m from Sudbury, Ontario. That’s in the Canadian Shield region.

Hi, I’m Matthew. I live in Mississauga, Ontario. That’s in the Great Lakes- St. Lawrence Lowlands region.

Hi, I’m Roxanna. I’m from Shelburne, Nova Scotia. That’s in the Appalachian region.

11NELNEL10 Many Gifts Unit 1

Looking Ahead to the Unit Inquiry

For the Unit Inquiry, you will become a member of Canada’s newest environmental team, Signs of Stewardship. As a team member, you will complete an inquiry into an environmental issue or challenge in one region, province, or territory and compare your findings with another team member’s findings.

Your inquiry will look at the gifts of each region, province, or territory, how human activity has an impact on the environment, and how we can all work to balance our needs and wants with stewardship. There are good things that need to continue, some things that need to stop, and perhaps you can think of new ideas that could be started.

Stewards of CreationOur own lives and the natural world are both awesome gifts from our generous God. Both of these gifts reflect the truth, wisdom, and beauty of God. God has made humans the stewards or guardians of both of these gifts. The way we treat one of them affects the way we treat the other one. When we treat all people with respect, it leads us to be careful of the way we use the natural world that all of us share. When we use the natural world in a way that is caring and responsible, we show respect for the people of today and the future.

Getting StartedBefore learning about something new, it is important to think about what you already know. This lets you make personal connections before you explore more deeply. Then you can generate questions about what you want to find out or what you wonder about.

Here are some questions Peter asked about Canada’s political and physical regions.

•Whatisapoliticalregion?Whatisaphysicalregion?

•Howisapoliticalregiondifferentfromaphysicalregion?

•ArethepeopleinCanada’sregionstakingcareoftheenvironment?

•HowarepeopleusingthegiftsfromGod?

•Whatresourcesdotheregionshave?Aretheythesame?

•Iwonderifallthepeopleinaregionagreeonhowtheresourcesarebeingused.

•IstheclimateinallofCanadathesameaswhereIlive?

•IwonderwheremostofthepeopleinCanadalive.Whydotheylivethere?

•Dopeopledothesamethingsforfuninalloftheregions?

Father Mike Explains ...

You will

• demonstrateknowledge of the region, province, or territory

• identifyhowhumanactivityin that region, province, or territory has an impact on the environment

• investigatethebalancebetween people’s needs and wants, and stewardship of the environment

See pages 100 to 103 for more information on the Unit Inquiry.

Unit 1 Canada’s Regions

Explore and Apply

What do you already know about Canada’s political and physical regions?

Generate your own list of questions about the political and physical regions of Canada.

1

2

12 Many Gifts Unit 1 13NELNEL

NORTHWESTTERRITORIES

YUKON

NUNAVUT

SASKATCHEWAN

MANITOBA

BRITISHCOLUMBIA

ALBERTA

Hi, I’m Sasha.My family has a large wheat farm in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan. That’s in the Interior Plains. This region of Canada is

often called the “Big Sky Country.” It has that nickname because there are lots of flat, open areas with low hills, so the sky seems to go on forever.My family earns money from an oil company because we have an oil pump at the back of our property.We’re so lucky. God has given this region so many gifts to use, like fertile soil for farming and oil for drilling. Sometimes, I wonder if we are using these gifts in a way that shows we care for the environment.

In a speech about the environment, Pope Francis called for ...

respect and protection of the entire creation which God has entrusted to humans.

Our Faith

The lnterior PlainsChapter 2

Big QuestionHow can we use natural resources to meet our needs and wants while protecting the environment?

Learning Goals•identifythecharacteristics

of the Interior Plains and the human activities that take place there

•formulatequestions•evaluatetheeffectsthat

drilling for oil has on the environment

An oil pump sits in a wheat field in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan. In the background is a grain elevator where grain is stored before it is transported to other places.

26 ManyGiftsUnit1 NEL

Exploring Many Gifts 4This book will be your guide to the exciting world of social studies. Here are some of the features you will see.

The Unit Opener introduces the unit. Use the title, introductory paragraph, and opening map to predict what you will discover in the unit.

The Our Faith quotation provides a Catholic perspective for each unit.

Getting Started helps you prepare to learn about the topic for the unit.

The Big Question is the guiding question for each chapter.

The Learning Goals tell you what you will learn in the chapter.

The Big Ideas are questions you will be reflecting on throughout the unit.

Father Mike Explains … presents the Catholic Social Justice Teaching for the unit.

Looking Ahead to the Unit Inquiry prepares you for the Unit Inquiry task at the end of the unit.

Each chapter is introduced by a Canadian student. This student will present an issue or topic to be explored throughout the chapter.

The Our Faith quotation provides a Catholic perspective for each chapter.

NEL8 Exploring Many Gifts

How Do People Use the Gifts from God?The Interior Plains is rich in natural resources, such as oil, minerals, and fertile soil. These resources have helped this region develop mining, farming, and other primary industries. A primary industry is a business, trade, or operation that makes use of natural resources.

MiningDrilling for oil and natural gas and mining potash are important primary industries in the Interior Plains. Potash is a mineral used in fertilizers to help crops grow.

In order to drill for oil, companies need to get permission from the Canadian government. Before making a decision, the government uses environmental reports to determine how a drilling project will affect the land, water, plants, and animals.

One way companies reach the oil in the ground is with oil pumps. Open-pit mining is another method. First, miners use machines to dig a huge hole in the ground. Then, they dig out the oil-soaked earth. The oil must be separated from the earth, which is a complicated process that uses a lot of hot water. Some of the water can be cleaned and reused, but some of it is full of toxic waste.

In recent years, better methods have been developed to reach the oil and improve the impact of mining on the environment. For example, oil companies can reuse water in the separation process.

This is a potash mine in Saskatchewan. Building mines destroys natural areas and habitats. When mines are no longer operating, mining companies must, by law, return the sites to their natural state.

Farming and RanchingFarming is an important primary industry in the Interior Plains. Crops such as wheat, barley, oats, and corn are grown here. These grains are all used to make different types of flour. Processing wheat into flour is a secondary industry. Secondary industries process natural resources to manufacture, or make, products.

Some people in this region raise cattle for meat. Raising animals, such as cattle, is called ranching. Alberta produces nearly half of all Canadian beef. Producing beef creates many types of jobs in the Interior Plains, from ranching and meat processing to cooking and serving in restaurants. Restaurants and grocery stores are examples of tertiary industries. Tertiary industries provide services, including transportation and banking.

People are always researching ways to improve farming and produce new and stronger varieties of crops. These are quaternary industries. Quaternary industries are information based and include education and research.

This photo shows chemicals being sprayed on crops at a farm. Chemicals control weeds, insects, and crop diseases. Many people are concerned about the use of such chemicals because they can harm soil, water, air, animals, and people. Some farmers are choosing not to use chemicals on their fields.

Thinking about Cause and ConsequenceIn 1947, a huge oil field was found in Leduc, Alberta. This was the start of the modern oil industry in the province. What impact do you think this discovery has had on the people and the environment in Alberta?

Catholic ConnectionIn the past, Communion wafers were made by a baker chosen by each local church. Only that person was allowed to touch the wheat used for the hosts. A special oven was also used. Today, large companies carefully produce Communion wafers in bulk for most churches in Canada. A group of nuns, the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood, also make Communion wafers.

Explore and ApplyWhat is similar about all primary industries? What is the difference between secondary and tertiary industries? What role do you think quaternary industries can play in taking care of the environment?

Create a chart that shows how one resource in the Interior Plains is a part of primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary industries.

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2

NEL30 Many Gifts Unit 1 NEL 31Chapter 2 The Interior Plains

NUNAVUT

ARCTIC

St.John’s

Winnipeg

Whitehorse

Victoria

Charlottetown

Fredericton

Regina QuébecCity

Iqaluit

Halifax

Ottawa

Edmonton

Yellowknife

Toronto

INTERIO

R PLAINS

APPALACHIAN

HUDSONBAY

ATLANTICOCEAN

ARCTICOCEAN

PACI

FIC

OCE

AN

GREAT LAKES–ST. LAWRENCE

LOWLANDS

YUKON

NORTHWESTTERRITORIES

QUÉBEC

NOVA SCOTIA

NEW BRUNSWICK

PRINCEEDWARDISLAND

ONTARIO

MANITOBAALBERTA

AND LABRADOR

NEWFOUNDLAND

BRITISHCOLUMBIA

SASKATCHEWAN

CORD

ILLERA

CA

N A D I A N S H I E L D

LOWLANDS

HUDSON BAY

W E

N

S0 300 km

CordilleraInterior PlainsArcticCanadian ShieldHudson Bay LowlandsGreat Lakes–St. Lawrence LowlandsAppalachian regionnational capitalprovince/territory capitalprovince/territory boundaryinternational boundary

Legend

U01-C01-F24-MG4SB

Crowle Art Group

Deborah Crowle

5th pass

Many Gifts 4

0-17-653119-X

FN

CO

Pass

Approved

Not Approved

Dawson City

Moosehide

Too M

uch

Gold

Creek

Hun

ker

Cre

ek

Bonanza Creek

Klondike RiverYukon River

WE

N

S

0 3 kmFortymile R

iver

gold mining

community

Follow these steps to analyze maps:

Look at the title of the map to help determine the map’s purpose. Why was the map created? How can you use it? Is there a date provided? If so, why?

Examine the map’s features, such as colour and symbols. These help you read the map.

Compare parts of the map. For example, you can compare the size of the different regions on the map on page 20.

The thematic map below shows gold-mining areas near Dawson City in 1897. The annotations explain how mercury, a chemical used in the mining process, affected the area.

The site of Dawson City was once a Hän First Nation fishing camp. Between 1896 and 1898, the population of Dawson City increased to over 30 000 people. The Hän were forced to move to Moosehide, a reserve northwest of the city (seen in this photo from 1900). Mercury from gold mining affected their waterways and food supplies. Today, First Nations peoples from Canada and Alaska help to protect the river water.

Lines have many uses. They can represent boundaries, rivers, and transportation routes.

The title tells you what information is included on the map.

The scale shows the distance measured on the map as it compares with the actual distance on the surface of Earth.

A compass rose shows the cardinal directions (N, E, S, W) and intermediate directions (NE, SE, SW, NW).

The legend shows what the symbols and colours mean.

Symbols can represent many things, including communities, natural resources, industries, and vegetation.

Labels name physical features and places.

Canada’s Political Regions and Physical Regions

Toolbox Analyze Maps

1

2

Mercury in the water affected fish and humans downstream from the mines.

Miners working in creeks upstream from Dawson City used mercury in the mining process.

Dawson City was the centre of the Klondike Gold Rush.

MapsThere are different types of maps.• Athematic map

displays information about a particular topic, such as vegetation, climate, or population.

• Anannotated map is a type of thematic map that includes notes.

1

2

3

Gold Mining Near Dawson City, 1897

lnquiryInterpret and Analyze

Explore and ApplyWhat tools help you read and analyze maps?

In which direction would a person have to travel to go from Whitehorse to Winnipeg? From Ottawa to Halifax?

Many Gifts Unit 1 NEL20 Chapter 1 The CordilleraNEL 21

Pulling It Together

NEL NEL 37

My aunt and uncle work in the Athabasca oil sands and live in Fort McMurray, Alberta. My aunt says that these oil sands produce almost 2 million barrels of oil a day.

Oil gives us many great things, such as plastic, clothing, and fuel for cars, planes, and boats. I can’t imagine life without these things.But I’m worried that using the oil sands harms our wildlife, water, and air. Oil is a wonderful gift from God. I’m wondering if we are using this resource in a way that will be good for people and the planet. What do we do if the oil runs out?

Sasha

How Can We Be Good Stewards?

This photo is of an open-pit mine in the oil sands near Fort McMurray.

Father Mike Explains ...As Catholics, we need to ask ourselves: When people extract oil, are they serving true human “needs” or are they increasing human “wants” for the sake of making money?

SeeWhat do you think Sasha sees as the good things about the oil industry? What is she concerned about?

Reflect“For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.” (Luke 12:48, NRSV) How does this passage connect to the use of the gift of oil?

ActThink about ways in which we can be responsible stewards of the gift of oil. Create and present a radio or TV ad to share your ideas.

Write a haiku to summarize one section in this chapter. First, record some of the facts and ideas you learned in that section. Next, create the haiku. Remember, a haiku is structured in the following way: 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables in the second line, 5 syllables in the third line. As well, haikus often describe something in the natural world. Finally, share your haiku with others. Talk about what you found rewarding or challenging about summarizing in this way.

Review the diagram called “products made from oil and natural gas” on page 32. Create a similar diagram to show how we use another natural resource from this region. Under your diagram, record some questions you have about that natural resource.

Creating effective questions can help you find out more about important issues. For example, concerned citizens may ask questions about how primary industries, such as mining, farming, and ranching, might harm the environment.

Develop three questions to help you investigate how a primary industry affects the environment. Make sure you include one question for each category.

Chapter lnquiry

Summarizing

In a speech about the environment, Pope Francis called for ...

respect and protection of the entire creation which God has entrusted to humans.

Making Connections

Question Type of Question

fact

opinion

critical

NELNEL 3736 Many Gifts Unit 1 Chapter 2 The Interior Plains

Each Catholic Connection provides an opportunity to link the social studies topics to the Catholic faith.

Each section ends with some questions for reflection, as well as an opportunity to apply your learning.

At the end of each chapter, there are many opportunities to reflect on and show your learning in Pulling It Together.

The Chapter Inquiry task will help prepare you for the Unit Inquiry task at the end of each unit.

Each chapter includes a Toolbox that focuses on the inquiry process and other skills connected to social studies.

Headings introduce new topics. New vocabulary words appear in bold.

Opportunities to focus on the six social studies thinking concepts are provided in the Thinking about ... feature.

Photos and other images and their captions provide more information and opportunities to explore a topic.

NEL 9Exploring Many Gifts