Summary

This article discusses the marketing opportunities posed through Canada’s 150th birthday and reminds readers that Canada’s narrative is actually much older.

Getting Started

Appropriate Subject Area(s):

Marketing, respect, cooperation

Key Questions to Explore:

  • What is the balancing act between taking advantage of the marketing opportunities presented by Canada’s official birthday and acknowledging and respecting the fact that native communities inhabited the land long before Canada was formed as a nation?

Materials Needed:

Copies of the article

Study and Discussion Activity

Introduction to lesson and task:

Students will explore the need for sensitivity when crafting birthday marketing campaigns in light of the fact that many people – in native communities in particular – could see the celebrations as more complicated.

Action (lesson plan and task):

  • Ask students what they know about and what they have observed with respect to Canada’s 150th
  • Identify with the class marketing opportunities they have seen.
  • Distribute the article for reading.
  • In small groups have students discuss the following:
    • What benefits are there to using Canada 150th for marketing purposes?
    • Why might consumers be interested in this?
    • Why do you think the government is allowing people to use the Canada 150 logo for free?
  • The article states: “Many people are keenly aware that the inhabited land we now call Canada is far older than 150 years”. Discuss in your group. Share highlights with the class.

Consolidation of Learning:

  • Have students prepare a brief paper on their view of Canada’s narrative and how it might support or detract from sales of Canada 150 paraphernalia.
Success and Additional Learning

Success Criteria:

  • Students understand the impact of marketing Canada 150 to the broader community.

Confirming Activity:

  • In groups of four, have students share their papers and compare and contrast the various narratives.