The Whale and the Raven

Brief “lesson launcher type” activity or a series of inquiry questions with a bit of context: 

This documentary explores the relationship of the Gitga’at First Nations peoples of British Columbia with the land, the whales and the scientists who study the whales in their territory. Touches on the struggles of maintaining land sovereignty while companies try to build oil pipelines and hunters try to take from the land. There is a poignant retelling of a Gitga’at story involving whales. Explain the significance of the story. Does it remind you of other stories or fables you have heard? What is unique about this type of storytelling? Read or listen to other stories from Indigenous Peoples and compare the style, subject matter and message of the stories. What is it about whales that is fascinating to so many different people in this documentary? What are the various threats that whales face? What threats does the Gitga’at community face? What rules should there be to regulate the ability of large corporations to build pipelines and oil-processing plants in small communities like Hartley Bay?