Education

Grade 3 Lesson: First Nation Territory Maps and Ecosystem Mind Maps

Grade 3 Lesson: First Nation Territory Maps and Ecosystem Mind Maps

Learning about Indigenous peoples fosters multicultural awareness and respect for mapping and its colonial history. Organize ecosystem data through drawings and use mind maps to illustrate biodiversity and relationships.

Please review full curriculum in the PDF at the bottom of the page to gain full understanding of the lesson and activity.

Education: 

kiɁlawnaɁ Grizzly

June 16, 2025

Lesson:  6 min read

Grades: 3

Subjects: Science, Social Studies

The nsyilxcen word commonly used to refer to all living things is tmixʷ. tmixʷ includes everything alive – the land, water, animals, people, plants, and so on. The Syilx Okanagan concept of land encompasses more than the physical geography of place, it includes the spiritual connections of everything living on and within it. The relationships among the tmixʷ are complex, interconnected networks. These networks, or ecosystems, are deeply interrelated, and what happens to one plant, animal, or organism will impact the whole system.

Social Studies

Part One: What are Maps?

• A map is a visual representation of an area of land or water showing the physical features, cities, climate, elevations, and roads.

1. Show your students a map of British Columbia. Ask them to locate where you are on the map.
2. Ask your students what First Nation territory you are currently learning on (i.e., Syilx Okanagan territory). Ask them to locate it on the map. Why are cities like Kelowna, Penticton, and Vernon labeled on the map but the names of the First Nations territories are not? Is that fair? Why is it important to acknowledge First Nations territories?
3. Show your students a First Nations territory map of BC. These interactive BC maps are great resources https://maps.fpcc.ca and https://www.bcafn.ca/first-nations-bc/interactive-map.
4. Locate the local First peoples’ territories in your surrounding area. If your students are not from the area, locate the names of the territories and First Nations groups from their hometowns.
5. Discuss the cause and consequences of excluding First Nations territories from Canada’s and British Columbia’s political map.
   • Why are we expected to know the provinces and capital cities, but not the boundaries of the First Nation territories?
   • Have you seen a First Nations territory map before?
   • Do you think your parents or grandparents studied a First Nations territory map in school?
   • If the government of Canada is working towards a reconciled relationship with Indigenous peoples, how could their relationship to place, their languages, cultures, and territories be better represented in the maps we use?
6. Orally acknowledging the territory we reside on is important, and so is knowing our location in relation to place. It is also important to be aware of the various First Nation bands in your local area, because multiple First Nation bands can coexist in a single territory.
   • For example, the Syilx Okanagan territory includes the Osoyoos Indian Band, Upper Nicola Band, Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Bands, Penticton Indian Band, Westbank First Nation, Okanagan Indian Band and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Part Two: What is a Mind Map?

A mind map is a diagram used to visually organize information or relationships. It shows the
interconnectedness or parts within a whole. It may illustrate a single concept or demonstrate
how multiple concepts/thoughts/ideas intercept. Images are often drawn, painted, or glued
onto a blank page, to which associated or related ideas, images, words, or concepts are
added.

Science

Part Three: Grizzly Bears’ Relationships within our Interconnected Ecosystem

Background Information

Within our biodiverse ecosystems, kiɁlawnaɁ (Grizzly Bears) are known as a keystone species. Grizzly bears play important roles in these complex networks, as apex predators and population regulators. They also contribute to the maintenance of forest regeneration, clean water systems, pest control, seed dispersal, prevention of diseases, and climate regulation. Without keystone species, such as kiɁlawnaɁ, the health of our land and ecosystems would
decline.

To develop a clearer understanding of the significant role kiɁlawnaɁ plays within our ecosystem, let’s think about some of the relationships they have with other living and nonliving things.

1. When Grizzly Bears eat salmon, they are regulating the salmon population. After consumption, the salmons’ bones are dispersed into the ground through the bears’ feces, which contributes to the process of nutrient cycling in the soil (decomposition into nitrogen).
2. Nutrient cycling supported by Grizzly Bears contributes significantly to forest and plant growth, which makes them more nutritious for other species that consume them.
3. Healthy forest and plant systems contribute to a stable riparian area, which is essential to a healthy salmon supporting water system. Large numerous trees prevent erosion, while contributing to sediment and water temperature regulation.
4. When Grizzly Bears carry salmon away from streams, they prevent disease and fungal outbreaks caused by too many carcasses accumulating near the riparian area.
5. Ungulates (elk, deer, moose calves): Although Grizzly Bears diets are mostly omnivorous, they do seek out the carcasses of ungulates that have died in the winter or were left behind by another predator. The consumption of these carcasses contributes to nutrient cycling in the soil too, as well as an increase in plant biomass. Grizzly bears also prey on deer, moose, and elk calves in the spring, which helps regulate their populations.
6. Grizzly Bears also consume many roots (such as bitterroot) and small rodents that burrow in the ground. When the bears dig them up, it contributes to the process of soil aeration.
7. Grizzly Bears also like to eat berries (such as Saskatoon berries). After consumption, the seeds are dispersed into the ground through the bears’ feces, which contributes to the process of seed dispersal over large areas.
8. Human development is the biggest threat to Grizzly Bear habitats and populations in British Columbia, followed by transportation, energy production, and mining. Climate change is also a significant factor that influences Grizzly Bears’ migration patterns, as well as the availability of food sources, such as salmon.

Part Four: Creating Grizzly Bear Ecosystem Mind Maps

1. Have your students focus on one or two of the relationships described above. Have them reflect on this relationship and think about further connections and impacts.
2. Perhaps you want to allow your students to have a brainstorm, or an opportunity to write down ideas, images, and words they would like to include on their mind map.
3. If students wish to pursue a different ecological relationship connected to Grizzly Bear, encourage their inquiry.
4. Creativity and diversity are encouraged during the mind map creation process. Students should have choice of the artistic mediums they use to construct their mind map. Some students may wish to create hand-drawn projects, collages, paintings, or digital versions of their thinking. However, it is important to ensure that the ecological relationship is clearly represented in their mind map.