In this educational activity, students will learn about the first occupants of the St. Lawrence Valley and their relations with the Europeans. Your class will explore the nomadic and sedentary lifestyles of the First Nations, get to know Montréal founders Jeanne Mance and De Maisonneuve while visiting the remains of Fort Ville-Marie, and understand the bartering and fur trade that took place between Indigenous peoples and the French.

Activity Format

With its hybrid format, this educational activity will first take you on a remote journey through Pointe-à-Callière—a virtual guided tour created especially for school groups and led by one of our qualified guides—during which you will explore the history of the archaeological site of Montréal’s birthplace. Your students will also get the opportunity to see the Where Montréal Began exhibition at the Museum.

After the virtual tour, our guide will stay online with you for an interactive activity, giving your students a chance to further explore the content covered on the tour. Your group will learn about the First Nations’ various tools and materials, and determine which were used by nomadic or sedentary groups. Students will also learn about the principles of bartering and about the objects traded between the First Nations and Europeans.

One of our guides will be on hand throughout the activity to answer your students’ questions. The activity is focused on dialogue, observation, and discovery.

How it works

This activity takes place on Microsoft Teams. When you make your reservation, you will receive a personalized link so you can log on at the scheduled date and time and connect with our guide, who will host your group remotely.

Equipment
You will need:

• 1 computer with an Internet connection (with activated speakers, microphone and webcam)
• 1 projector or screen (IWB or TV)

Educational competencies

The workshop activities are in line with the goals of the government’s educational program and will help students develop specific competencies.

In Québec