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Lesson Two: Dakota Bear 132 Lesson Two: Dakota Bear Activity: Mental Well-being Stress Kits CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut: •Aboriginal Studies Grades 10-12 •English Language Arts Grades 10-12 •English Language Arts Grades 10, 11 and 12: Uqausiliriniq Strand •Health and Life Skills Grade 9 •School Health: Mental and Emotional Well Being Grade 9 •Psychology Grades 11-12 British Columbia and Yukon: •Contemporary Indigenous Studies Grade 12 •English Language Arts Composition Grades 10, 11 and 12 •English Language Arts First Peoples Grade 12 •Physical and Health Education Grade 10 •Contemporary Indigenous Studies Grade 12 •English Language Arts Composition Grades 10, 11 and 12 •English Language Arts First Peoples Grade 12 •Physical and Health Education Grade 10 Ontario: •First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Studies Grades 9-12 •English Language Arts Grades 9-10 •English Language Arts Grades 11-12 •Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology Grade 11 •Health and Physical Education Grades 9-12 •Personal Life Management DURATION 1-2 hours OVERVIEW In this lesson, students will explore the topics of mental health, social justice issues, and stepping out of their comfort zones. Students will listen to Indigenous hip-hop artist Dakota Bear's song "Freedom". While listening to the song, students will write down keywords from the video and feelings/emotions that the song evokes. Students will watch Dakota Bear's interview with Fireside Chats. Dakota Bear is also an activist for Indigenous social justice movements such as Idle No More and MMIWG2S (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit). From the teachings in Dakota's video, students will reflect on their own mental wellbeing as they create their own stress kits. Stress kits are an amazing way to develop and apply coping strategies to manage students' own emotions and mental health. Creating stress kits encourages mindfulness and teaches students to recognize the physiological signs of stress on their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. This lesson is great on its own or in conjunction with other lessons about stress, mental wellbeing, and/or keeping all aspects of ourselves healthy. Students self-reflect about their stress kits, their experience, and why taking care of their mental wellbeing is important. MATERIALS •One small box or shoebox per student •Computer Access •Access to Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music or Dakota Bear's website •Whiteboard and markers •"Mental Wellbeing Stress Kit" Handout •Stress Kit made by the teacher (Optional) •"How-to-Make a Stress Ball" handout (Optional) •Materials to make stress balls (Optional) •Any other materials teachers want to use for the creation of stress kit items (Optional) Entertainment