Activity Overview
Indigenous people of the Arctic and Subarctic are famous leaders, artists, athletes, activists and many other professions. Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of Indigenous peoples. In this activity, students will research an indigenous person from the Arctic/Subarctic region and then create a biography poster highlighting their life and accomplishments.
Using one of the templates or starting from scratch on the poster layout, students will build up a profile of their chosen figure. Depending on requirements or complexity, students can add timelines to their posters. However, the wide variety of characters, scenes, and items makes it very easy for students to customize their project to fit any guidelines.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Some examples of people to research:
- Thanadelthur (died 1717)
- Taqulittuq (1838-1876)
- Ada Blackjack (1898-1983)
- Pitseolak Ashoona (1904-1983)
- Pudlo Pudlat (1916-1992)
- Kenojuak Ashevak (1927-2013)
- John Baker (1962-)
- Annie Pootoogook (1969-2016)
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable person that is of Indigenous heritage from the Arctic or Subarctic region. Create a Biography Poster that highlights their major accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a person.
- Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about your chosen person.
- On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth (and death if applicable). Choose a character that resembles your person. Add words and images to describe your person’s accomplishments.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishments.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The description includes at least five important facts about the famous or historic figure. | The description includes less than five important facts or it includes information that is not pertinent to the famous or historic figure. | The description is incomplete and does not contain important information about the famous or historic figure. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items that are appropriate to the famous or historic figure. They enhance the poster by symbolizing or illustrating important facts about the figure. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
Indigenous people of the Arctic and Subarctic are famous leaders, artists, athletes, activists and many other professions. Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of Indigenous peoples. In this activity, students will research an indigenous person from the Arctic/Subarctic region and then create a biography poster highlighting their life and accomplishments.
Using one of the templates or starting from scratch on the poster layout, students will build up a profile of their chosen figure. Depending on requirements or complexity, students can add timelines to their posters. However, the wide variety of characters, scenes, and items makes it very easy for students to customize their project to fit any guidelines.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Some examples of people to research:
- Thanadelthur (died 1717)
- Taqulittuq (1838-1876)
- Ada Blackjack (1898-1983)
- Pitseolak Ashoona (1904-1983)
- Pudlo Pudlat (1916-1992)
- Kenojuak Ashevak (1927-2013)
- John Baker (1962-)
- Annie Pootoogook (1969-2016)
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable person that is of Indigenous heritage from the Arctic or Subarctic region. Create a Biography Poster that highlights their major accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a person.
- Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about your chosen person.
- On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth (and death if applicable). Choose a character that resembles your person. Add words and images to describe your person’s accomplishments.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishments.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The description includes at least five important facts about the famous or historic figure. | The description includes less than five important facts or it includes information that is not pertinent to the famous or historic figure. | The description is incomplete and does not contain important information about the famous or historic figure. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items that are appropriate to the famous or historic figure. They enhance the poster by symbolizing or illustrating important facts about the figure. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Notable People of the Arctic First Nations
How to facilitate meaningful class discussions about Arctic Indigenous figures
Encourage students to share what they learned and reflect on Indigenous perspectives. Meaningful discussions deepen understanding and build empathy by allowing students to connect personally with the experiences and contributions of Arctic First Nations people.
Set clear expectations for respectful dialogue
Establish discussion guidelines that value every voice and promote respectful listening. This helps create a supportive environment where students feel safe sharing their thoughts and questions about Indigenous histories and accomplishments.
Use open-ended questions to spark conversation
Pose questions like “What surprised you about this person’s life?” or “How did their culture influence their achievements?” Open-ended prompts foster deeper thinking and invite multiple perspectives.
Connect biographies to students’ own experiences
Ask students to compare their lives or communities with those of the Indigenous figures studied. Drawing personal connections makes history more relatable and memorable.
Encourage students to ask thoughtful questions
Model curiosity by inviting students to ask questions about the challenges and successes of Arctic Indigenous people. This builds critical thinking and helps dispel stereotypes through inquiry-based learning.
Frequently Asked Questions about Notable People of the Arctic First Nations
What is a biography poster activity for Arctic First Nations students?
A biography poster activity invites students to research a notable Indigenous person from the Arctic or Subarctic and create a poster highlighting their life, accomplishments, and cultural significance. This hands-on project helps students develop research and presentation skills while learning about real people from Indigenous communities.
How do I choose a notable Arctic Indigenous person for a biography poster?
Start by exploring a list of famous Arctic First Nations figures such as Thanadelthur, Taqulittuq, Ada Blackjack, or Kenojuak Ashevak. Consider selecting someone whose story interests you or who made significant contributions as a leader, artist, or activist.
What are the key elements to include in a biography poster about an Indigenous Arctic person?
Be sure to add your person's name, image, birth/death dates, and a summary of their major accomplishments. Use words and pictures to show their impact and try to include timelines or scenes for extra detail.
Why is it important for students to research real Indigenous people from the Arctic?
Researching real Indigenous Arctic figures helps students gain a deeper, more empathetic understanding of diverse cultures, perspectives, and histories. It also fosters respect and awareness of the achievements of Arctic First Nations people.
Where can I find templates for biography posters about Arctic First Nations?
You can access biography poster templates online, through school resources, or by creating your own. Many educational websites and teaching platforms offer free, customizable templates specifically for student projects.
More Storyboard That Activities
Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic
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