Social Studies

The American government is considering whether to allow construction of a giant pipeline that would pump more Canadian oil into the United States. The oil comes from Alberta's oil sands, and many environmentalists say the pipeline should not be built. This video looks at both viewpoints.

Canada's military mission in Afghanistan is scheduled to end in July 2011. Some Canadians want that mission to continue, while others wonder about its success. This video takes viewers on a six-day patrol with the soldiers of Delta Company and shows what kind of challenges and dangers they confront.

In mid-August a merchant ship was intercepted off the coast of British Columbia. On board were almost 500 Sri Lankan Tamils, hoping to be granted refugee status in Canada. This video looks at their journey and why they left Sri Lanka and examines the controversy over what to do with them.

For more than a hundred years many First Nations children were taken away from their families, and forced to attend residential schools. In 2008, the Canadian government apologizes for the suffering and the abuse many experienced. This video explores the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commi...

In early August, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn in as President of Iran after weeks of bloody unrest. Ahmadinejad was elected in June, but his opponents said the vote had been rigged and took to the streets in protest. At least 30 people are killed and hundreds are arrested.

After decades of waiting, Aboriginal Canadians receive a formal apology from the federal government on June 11, 2008. This event in Canadian history recognizes the loss of culture caused by the church-run residential schools that thousands of Aboriginal children were forced to attend. It also ack...

He was born in the war ravaged African country of Somalia and grew up on the streets of Toronto. Now K'naan is a global singing sensation and his song, Wavin' Flag, is the official song of the 2010 world soccer championship in South Africa. This interview with K'naan explores how his turbulent li...

Canada is a multicultural country where people of many races and backgrounds live in harmony together. Most of us are proud of our diversity, and like to think we live in a country where prejudice is not a problem. This video examines how one racist incident shocks a community. It asks pollsters ...

In January, the Caribbean country of Haiti is devastated by a powerful earthquake. More than 200,000 people are killed and over a million people are left homeless. Canadians react generously to the calls for help by raising millions of dollars for Haiti relief.

In March, opposition members of Parliament table an explosive motion in the House of Commons. They ask the Speaker of the House to rule that the Conservative government is violating parliamentary privilege, for withholding documents on the treatment of Afghan detainees. Could this trigger a const...

This program describes how Canada's government works. Filmed on location in Ottawa, students learn about the members of parliament and the basic structure and functions of the House of Commons. There is an interactive quiz at the end of the program. A teacher's guide is available.

The National produced a documentary based on CBC journalist Karen Levine's book Hana's Suitcase: A True Story. The book depicts a Japanese school teacher, Fumiko Ishioka, who decides to use the Holocaust as an educational tool. Using the suitcase of Hana Brady, a young girl who was sent to Auschw...

In this episode, T-Bear takes advantage of the All Chief's Conference to raise the issue of elder care. T-Bear's father encourages him to run for National Youth Council president. Talon's ideas to assist the elders of Wapos Bay become the core issues of the election campaign. Talon is jealous of ...

In this episode from the Wapos Bay Series, cousin Betty arrives in a wheelchair and the community does its best to adapt to her personal needs. T-Bear avoids Betty when he finds out she is sick. Betty is hurt because she thinks T-Bear no longer likes her. The community of Wapos Bay decides to mak...

The fur trade played a large role in the early history of Canada. It opened up the country, created new communities and led to the further exploration of North America. Archaeologists have retrieved many artifacts from places like old trading posts.