Untold Histories: Connecting Past to Present by Caija Brome-Cumberbatch

 Title: Untold Histories: Connecting Past to Present



Fort York "Teaching with Objects" Session Plan 

Target Audience and Setting

  • Audience: Teens and adults (16+), including educators, students, and community members interested in history and social justice.
  • Number of Participants: 15-20 participants.
  • Offsite Location: A local library, community center, or online (to ensure accessibility).
  • Duration: 25 minutes


Overview

This "Teaching with Objects" session connects Fort York's Indigenous and colonial histories to present-day conversations. Held at a community site like a library, it uses three artifacts—a musket, a treaty wampum belt replica, and a regimental badge—to explore themes of war, peace, and reconciliation. Participants engage in discussions and create their own symbols of peace and resistance, linking historical artifacts to modern relevance. The project fosters historical awareness, dialogue, and community connection, with a take-home resource to continue learning. It emphasizes Fort York’s role as an educational and cultural hub.


Theme and Objective

Theme: Connecting the past to the present by exploring the untold Indigenous and colonial histories of Fort York.

Objective:
Participants will:

  • Understand Fort York’s role in Indigenous history and colonial development.
  • Examine how artifacts and stories shape collective memory.
  • Reflect on the connections between historical narratives and contemporary societal issues.


Session Outline

a) Welcome and Overview (5 minutes)

  1. Greet participants and introduce Fort York as both a historical site and a community resource.
  2. Explain the session’s focus: uncovering Indigenous and colonial histories through three artifacts.
  3. Emphasize that this session fosters critical thinking and bridges historical and modern perspectives.


b) Object Exploration (15 minutes)

Participants interact with three objects, each representing different narratives of Fort York.

Object 1: Wampum Belt (Replica) 


  • Description: Wampum belts were used by Indigenous peoples to record treaties, events, and agreements.
  • Activity: Display a replica wampum belt. Discuss its significance in Indigenous diplomacy and sovereignty.
  • Questions for Discussion:
    1. How does the wampum belt challenge typical colonial narratives of treaties?
    2. What can this object teach us about Indigenous resilience?
    3. How are Indigenous voices preserved in modern museum settings?


Object 2: Military Button from the War of 1812 (Original or Replica) 

  • Description: This artifact symbolizes British colonial military presence at Fort York.
  • Activity: Provide a magnifying glass for participants to examine details. Discuss the artifact's connection to colonial power.
  • Questions for Discussion:
    1. What does this button symbolize about British influence in Toronto?
    2. How did the colonial military affect Indigenous communities?
    3. What role do museums play in presenting contested histories?


Object 3: 19th-Century Fort York Map (Reproduction)

  • Description: A historical map of Fort York showing its layout and land use.
  • Activity: Provide participants with copies of the map. Invite them to annotate it with markers to reimagine Fort York from an Indigenous perspective.
  • Questions for Discussion:
    1. What changes might an Indigenous mapmaker include?
    2. How does land ownership shape cultural identity?
    3. How can reinterpreting maps help modern communities engage with history?


c) Studio Activity (10 minutes)

Title: Reimagine the Land
Participants create a layered art piece combining historical and modern maps of Toronto.

  • Materials: Transparent sheets, markers, and printed maps.
  • Goal: Encourage participants to visualize how Fort York’s land has evolved and connect it to broader cultural themes.


d) Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

  1. Summarize the importance of examining untold histories.
  2. Encourage participants to reflect on how Fort York connects to their lives today.
  3. Provide resources for further learning, including museum visits and online exhibits.


Conclusion


This "Teaching with Objects" session highlights the power of Fort York as a bridge between the past and the present, using historical artifacts to spark conversations about war, peace, and reconciliation. By engaging participants in hands-on activities and thoughtful discussions, the session fosters a deeper understanding of Indigenous and colonial histories, making these narratives accessible and relevant to diverse audiences. The project underscores the importance of museums as spaces for dialogue and education, helping communities connect with history in meaningful ways while inspiring ongoing learning and action.




Take-Home Activity

Introduction:
Fort York stands as a historical landmark that embodies the intersection of Indigenous and colonial narratives in Toronto’s history. This session is designed to explore these layered histories by engaging participants with tangible artifacts and interactive activities. Through the use of historical objects, we aim to uncover the lesser-known stories of the Indigenous peoples who first inhabited this land and the colonial forces that shaped its trajectory.

Participants will delve into the significance of Fort York as both a military site and a place of cultural exchange, reflecting on how these histories have contributed to present-day cultural and social dynamics. By encouraging hands-on engagement with artifacts and fostering dialogue around themes of resilience, identity, and transformation, this session invites participants to critically examine how historical narratives influence our understanding of the world today.

Through this immersive exploration, the session highlights the importance of connecting past events to present issues, fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities of history and its enduring impact on contemporary society.


Further Learning Activity: Expand Your Exploration

  1. Research an Object That Represents Your Community’s History:
    Begin by identifying an object with historical or cultural significance to your community. This could be a traditional tool, a piece of clothing, a document, or even a family heirloom. Research its origin, purpose, and the context in which it was used. Consider how the object connects to broader historical narratives or local traditions.
  2. Write a Short Story Inspired by the Object:
    Imagine the life of someone who might have used or created the object. Craft a narrative that brings this history to life—explore their daily experiences, struggles, or aspirations. Incorporate historical events, cultural practices, or personal anecdotes that connect to the object’s meaning. The goal is to personalize history and make it resonate with present-day experiences.
  3. Create a Visual Art Piece Inspired by the Object:
    Use your chosen object as a central theme for a drawing, painting, or mixed-media project. Focus on how the object reflects identity, resilience, or change over time. Consider abstract or symbolic elements that convey its deeper significance. For example, you might juxtapose traditional imagery with modern elements to show continuity and transformation in your community’s history.
  4. Share and Reflect:
    Once your story or artwork is complete, share it with others in your community, school, or online. Reflect on the process: What did you learn about your community's history? How has this object shaped or been shaped by historical and cultural changes? How does engaging with history through art or storytelling deepen your understanding of its relevance today?

These activities encourages creativity and critical thinking, allowing participants to connect their personal and communal histories to broader historical narratives, much like the session's focus on uncovering untold stories at Fort York.

Recommended Readings:

1. “Fort York: History and Heritage” (Museum Resource)

This resource provides a comprehensive overview of Fort York's historical significance, including its role in the War of 1812, colonial-era developments, and its importance as a military and community site. It highlights key artifacts, architectural features, and the broader socio-political context of its era.

  • Why It’s Relevant:
    This reading connects directly to the themes of the session, offering foundational knowledge about the site's Indigenous and colonial histories. It emphasizes Fort York as a space for both historical reflection and contemporary community engagement, making it integral for participants to understand the site's dual identity.


2. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

This book blends Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and personal storytelling to explore humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Kimmerer, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and a botanist, shares insights into Indigenous practices, reciprocity, and stewardship of the earth.

  • Why It’s Relevant:
    Kimmerer’s work provides participants with a framework to understand Indigenous perspectives on land and heritage. It complements the session’s focus on untold histories by encouraging deeper respect for Indigenous worldviews and cultural practices that intersect with Fort York’s history.


How to Use These Resources in the Session:

  • Pre-session Preparation:
    • Use "Fort York: History and Heritage" to craft an overview or narrative for the session, ensuring historical accuracy.
    • Incorporate excerpts from Braiding Sweetgrass to foster discussions on Indigenous connections to land and heritage, drawing parallels with artifacts or land-based practices from Fort York.
  • Further Learning Recommendations:
    Encourage participants to explore Braiding Sweetgrass to reflect on the enduring relationship between people, history, and land. For educators, "Fort York: History and Heritage" serves as a foundation for creating lesson plans tied to Canadian history and Indigenous relations.