Project 55: Angelina Napolitano

Student Name(s): Ghina

School: Edmonton Islamic Academy

Grade: 6

Bibliography: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1B47QG1JHgpC1qZ5VUWAK1LJX_0AjHBu5BS02YvazAfE

Research Topic / Main Questions:

Who was the first Canadian ax killer?

Why did you choose this topic:

I choose this project for various reasons, one of which is that Angelina Napolitano was the first woman in Canada to use the battered woman defense and was also one of the first Canadian ax killers. No woman before Angelina Napolitano had the courage to use the battered woman defense, but Angelina Napolitano changed that, she is a role model to all women out there. I want to carry on Angelina Napolitano’s legacy by sharing her story and promoting women’s safety.

Please summarize your experience in researching this project?

While I was researching about this project, I noticed a sift in my Worldview as it came to my realization of how women are treated in this society and how that is not okay. Women contribute to our society, just as much as men do, and thanks to Angelina Napolitano  I develop the courage to speak and share my thoughts. Before I heard about Angelina Napolitano, I wasn’t the type to speak up about what matters most but as I learned more about her and what she did for women around this world, I have learned that I need to spread awareness and take a stand for my fellow women.

How did you personally connect to this project?

I personally connect to this project, this is because I am a young woman in today’s society. I believe that a woman’s safety should be a high priority. Being a woman who has the power to fight for what is right is mainly due to Angelina Napolitano.

What are your conclusions about your topic?

The number one main conclusion to my project is the impact Angelina Napolitano had on all women in society. Angelina Napolitano encouraged many females to be courageous and advocate for what is right through their very extreme tactics. No women in society ever had the strength to use the battered women’s defense but Angelina Napolitano did. Knowing this, Angelina concluded her life with a good inspiration to many other women.

Project 53: Connecting to First Nations

Student Name(s): Diala & Sareen

School: Edmonton Islamic Academy

Grade: 4

Bibliography: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1z7PsrCDjPq6UXBUucTiaN_FxrvtVWaUa

Research Topic / Main Questions:

Why is the environment important to first nations?
Did First Nations have in relationships with nature?
What is Head smash in Buffalo?
What is the Fur Trade?
What is a tipi and what does it have inside?
Did First Nations have any traditions and cultures?

Why did you choose this topic:

We picked this project because this year, in Grade 4, we are learning more about, The First Nation People. We want to share our knowledge and bring awareness among people, about their life styles and in particular, their dependence on nature.

Please summarize your experience in researching this project?

In the first semester, in Social studies, we learnt about different regions including Boreal Forest Region. The good thing about this book is that it is taught through the experiences of few students who are from different backgrounds. I remember in the Boreal Forest Region, how the First Nation people used nature and in particular, the forest which satisfied them with their basic needs. Later, in the 2nd semester, we started learning the First Nation people in detail. There was no need to do lots of research as the content was available in our textbook itself.

How did you personally connect to this project?

We are very much inspired by the First Nation People and also connect to them from our own religion i.e Islam. As a community and in particular, in our families, we also show respect to our elders, share responsibilities, be satisfied with what we have, and care for nature too!

What are your conclusions about your topic?

As grade 4 students, we have learned how the First Nation people appreciated and respected nature.
In today’s world, even though we have so many facilities and comfort in our lives, still we are not happy.
Our world is always facing problems due to land, water and air pollution.
If we follow the guidelines of the First Nation as to how they took care of nature, used only what was needed and shared with others with what they have, we can also save this world by making it a better place.


We put our project below in Bibliography

Project 54: Laura Secord

Student Name(s): Dalia

School: Edmonton islamic academy

Grade: 4

Bibliography: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1eF-sVpiAeYBsF1JYvKkT6GhiaP6gsvgK

Research Topic / Main Questions:

I am researching about Laura Secord/Why did she warn the british?Why is she famous?

Why did you choose this topic:

Laura Secord is a famous heroine in canada

Please summarize your experience in researching this project?

I heard this project from a video at school

How did you personally connect to this project?

I heard it at school i never heard of a female hero

What are your conclusions about your topic?

If Laura Secord did not warn the british canada would not have the same boreder as we have now

Project 52: How did West Edmonton Mall become such a big part in Canadian history?

Student Name(s): Ola

School: Edmonton Islamic Academy

Grade: 6

Bibliography: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1OBCbHDavrk7y-ztpBnezte_YIPq-lCxB2pzBcGZkszw

Research Topic / Main Questions:

What is West Edmonton Mall? The founding of West Edmonton Mall? How many phases did West Edmonton Mall go through? What stores are in West Edmonton Mall? Why is West Edmonton Mall so important to Canada?

Why did you choose this topic:

Because I really like to shop at West Edmonton Mall and I always wondered how its so important to Canadian history.

Please summarize your experience in researching this project?

It was pretty hard to find some information and songs. I found out many things about West Edmonton Mall and its creators.

How did you personally connect to this project?

Because I love to shop and go to West Edmonton Mall

What are your conclusions about your topic?

My conclusion for why West Edmonton Mall is important to Canadian history is because its a huge tourist attraction and attracts many tourists.

Project 51: William Kidd and Oak Island

Student Name(s): Noorhan

School: Edmonton Islamic Academy

Grade: 6

Bibliography: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZzXiodg-wZsvkQuDZc7zdtUoUxpP08hMt8uEXqkRepM

Research Topic / Main Questions:

Who was William Kidd?
What is Oak Island?

Why did you choose this topic:

Because I wanted to do something about a pirate and once I heard about William Kidd and Oak Island it caught my attention.

Please summarize your experience in researching this project?

The more I researched about this topic the more it challenged me to dig deep for information.

How did you personally connect to this project?

I really enjoy pirates and how they lived what they buried and what challenges they went through.

What are your conclusions about your topic?

He has affected the lives of many by giving them a thriller to hunt for the buried treasure.

Project 50: Terry Fox

Student Name(s): Leena

School: Edmonton Islamic Academy

Grade: 5

Bibliography: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vTdcgyz7QLkaPPSrLKpjRIUf1hulVczAo9Tw2Xe6G3E

Research Topic / Main Questions:

Who is Terry Fox and what did he do?

Why did you choose this topic:

I chose to do Terry Fox because what he did amazed me and I wanted to learn more about him.

Please summarize your experience in researching this project?

Doing this project made me learn things that I didn’t already know about Terry Fox..

How did you personally connect to this project?

Every year at school, we do something called Sparks Run. Being involved in that run makes me relate to Terry Fox.

What are your conclusions about your topic?

Terry’s story taught me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it! I don’t think anyone would want to run across Canada! They’d think it’s not possible! But he wanted to do the impossible to show that it can be done!

Project 49: David Suzuki Canada’s Environmentalist

Student Name(s): Abdallah

School: Edmonton Islamic Academy

Grade: 5

Bibliography: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pL6cbSNJtJbQuqJeKcm17Fk-Stxle7d3

Research Topic / Main Questions:

Who is David Suzuki? How is he important? How can we learn from his work and accomplishments?

Why did you choose this topic:

I picked David Suzuki as my topic because he is a very well known environmentalist. He cares about nature and animals and he tries to help whenever he can. He cares about the planet we live on and wants to keep it green for generations to come. He inspires me and all of us to take more care of our planet.

Please summarize your experience in researching this project?

In this project I have gathered my information from various websites such as Wikipedia, EcoMENA, The Canadian Encyclopedia, Blogs, and Weebly.com. Wikipedia and the Canadian Encyclopedia has taught me about who David Suzuki is and what he is known for. Also, Wikipedia had the most information for my project and was the most useful. EcoMENA has taught me about an Islamic connection to the environment and how God likes people who keep themselves clean. Blogs.com has taught me about David S Suzuki’s childhood and relationship with his dad. Weebly.com had some was a timeline of David Suzuki’s life and important events. As well, a book called The David Suzuki Reader A Lifetime of Ideas from a Leading Activist and Thinker is a book David put all his unpublished essays in to a book. It inspires me that over the past 25 years he wrote all those essays, worked hard, and never gave up.

How did you personally connect to this project?

This project relates relates to me because I love learning and taking care of nature. I care about how many trees we are cutting down and how much garbage we are throwing in the sea and he does too. We both want to keep this place clean and green for everybody.

What are your conclusions about your topic?

In conclusion David Suzuki is a successful Canadain academic and environmentalist. He wants to help and learn about the environment in any way he can. He is still helping the environment today and will not stop until he dies.

Project 48: Terry Fox: A story of Hope

Student Name(s): Zayed

School: Edmonton Islamic Academy

Grade: 4

Bibliography:

Research Topic / Main Questions:

Who started the Terry Fox run and why?

Why did you choose this topic:

In grade 2 we learned about Terry so now it inspired me to do a topic about him.

Please summarize your experience in researching this project?

I was feeling proud of myself. Now I’m confident to win.

How did you personally connect to this project?

I said my name in the first slide.

What are your conclusions about your topic?

In conclusion Terry became a hero and raised $800 million.

Project 47: The Honorable Jean Augustine

Student Name(s): Eslaam

School: Edmonton Islamic Academy

Grade: 4

Bibliography: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ONNA9fDce5wRCtBsVk4jo9SJCpWGH0VV7JTv5EGQvCo

Research Topic / Main Questions:

What is Jean Augustine known for?

Why did you choose this topic:

Jean Augustine is a very important person in Canadian history.

Please summarize your experience in researching this project?

I found out that Jean Augustine has accomplished many acheivements.

How did you personally connect to this project?

Jean Augustine is a role model for me and many people around the world! She was very brave and is very confident. She is not afraid to follow her dreams and that is very inspiring.She taught me to never give up on my dreams.

What are your conclusions about your topic?

Jean Augustine is an amazing person.She has been a true hero to Canada. It has been very fun learning about her. In conclusion, Jean Augustine role model for women. Her accomplishments show that barriers can’t stop a person from reaching their goals.

Project 46: Cenovus Energy: A Leader in First Nations Reconciliation

Student Name(s): Jenna

School: Edmonton Islamic Academy

Grade: 4

Bibliography: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1NcqDwRWgmKOthOS8h55SRacQpJMdAdf9

Research Topic / Main Questions:

I am researching Cenovus’s Indigenous Housing Initiative. Some questions that I will explore are: What is Cenovus’s Indigenous Housing Initiative? Why is it necessary to provide housing support? How does helping others improve the community?

Why did you choose this topic:

I chose this topic because I enjoy studying social studies. In December, I read about a news story that my teacher, Mr. Gee, shared with me. We were studying the Boreal Forest region, and we read about Cenovus’s housing initiative in social studies. I became interested in this event because helping people in need is part of my religion. Helping other people gets you good deeds also known in Arabic as Hasanat. I became inspired by Cenovus’s act of kindness. In Canada, we have The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but having a company, such as Cenovus Energy, helping our community members experience equality is amazing.

Please summarize your experience in researching this project?

I gathered my research from the school library, and I also used my chromebook visiting different websites and video links about Cenovus. I summarized the main ideas in my research. I found the CBC and CTV News websites useful. Mr. Gee, also helped me by contacting Cenovus’s head office in Calgary for an email interview. I created 3 interview questions that I wanted to ask Cenovus about their housing initiative. This is the first time that I conducted an interview with a company. This was my primary source in my research. I would like to thank Mr. Trent Zacharias, a Director in Community and Indigenous Affairs Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement at Cenovus Energy, for participating in my email interview. I appreciate the opportunity to ask him directly about Cenovus’s initiative on helping First Nations communities. The first hand data provided me with valuable insights. I really felt Cenovus’s sincerity in helping First Nations communities. I also read a statement from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He said “We know what is needed is total renewal of the relationship between Canada and Indigenious people”. (Statement by Prime Minister on release of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 2015) Exploring a new relationship between Canada and First Nations guided my research. Two books that anchored my research are On Our Street: Our First Talk About Poverty by Dr. Jillian Roberts and Jaime Casap and Look Where We Live! A First Book of Community Building by Scot Ritchie. These books taught me the importance of having compassion. I also designed a painting for my Heritage Fair project.

Cenovus Energy is a large oil and gas company. In January 30, 2020, Cenovus announced that they are donating $50,000,000 to 6 northern Alberta First Nations communities. These communities are: Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Chard Metis (Local 218), Conklin Metis (Local 193), Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation, Cold Lake First Nation, and Heart Lake First Nation. First Nations communities in Northern Alberta are facing challenges such as overcrowded homes which are unsafe. This initiative is especially important now because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Living in overcrowded homes where people can’t self-isolate put everyone’s lives at risk. In northern Alberta, there is also a lack of affordable housing around the oilsands industry. For decades now, many members of the First Nations community are still recovering from hardships they experienced in residential schools. Celebrating Orange Shirt Day on September 30 is just the beginning of the healing process. This initiative is huge because 50 million dollars is a lot of money. Cenovus plans on building about 200 homes for these northern communities. Cenovus could possibly extend the initiative for 10 years and 100 million dollars if everything goes well.

Even though we are in a global pandemic with COVID-19, Cenovus has made strong progress with their Indigenous Housing Initiative. In 2020, they built 12 homes, and in 2021 they are aiming to complete construction for 40 more homes. Every new house matters because they are giving a chance for families to be safe and to be together.

How did you personally connect to this project?

I am a Muslim. I pratice Islam. Islam means peace. In September, I studied Orange Shirt Day and the negative effects from residential schools. In November and December, my grade 4 class led a school-wide Winter Clothing Socks and Mittens Drive for the less fortunate. We collected over 800 mittens and socks for the clients of Boyle Street Community Services. These learning experiences have taught me some important lessons. Learning about the past helps you make better decisions for the future. As well, we are stronger when we work together. I was sad to learn about the lack of affordable housing for so many First Nations families in northern Alberta. Some families even live with mold in their homes. The more I read and studied about Cenovus’s northern Alberta housing initiative, the more I realize that I can make a difference by sharing this story with a larger audience such as my classmates and the Edmonton Regional Heritage Fair. Sharing this story promotes the “Power of Hope” which can give many people the inspiration to overcome challenges. During this COVID-19 pandemic, many are facing huge challenges across the world. Lots need emotional and moral support.

What are your conclusions about your topic?

Cenovus’s commitment for supporting First Nations communities is inspiring. They are making a difference in our community. The evidence is there with their actions of helping First Nations with housing in northern Alberta. They have plans to construct over 40 homes in 2021. Cenovus’s Indigenous Housing Initiative is a challenge and reminder that we can all help shape the future by working together. Studying history is more than just memorizing facts and dates. It helps us prepare for the future. We can make history with our actions. In my email interview on April 12, 2021, Mr. Trent Zacharias said, “Working with Indigenous communities, and supporting reconciliation is something that every Albertan and Canadian can do. Every effort matters. Whether it’s taking time to better understand Indigenous people or culture, acknowledging the traditional lands where we live, work, or go to school, or building homes such as Cenovus did, we can all do our part.” I hope this initiative inspires other companies or individuals to care more about each other. Thank you Cenovus Energy for accepting my interview and being part of my research. Congratulations for being a leader in First Nations Reconciliation.