Lesson #1: Extraordinary Lives

Canadian and World Studies: History and Visual Art

Famous Canadians

History is often made by ordinary people living in extraordinary times who apply their skills in extraordinary ways.

Like most of us, the Group of Seven artists struggled to balance daily obligations with personal interests. They held jobs, took care of their families, and cherished their friends.

They are memorable because they achieved success through hard work, talent, good fortune, and dedication at time when Canada was ready to define itself, nationally and internationally.

Other Memorable Canadians

Arthur Currie, a member of the Group of Seven’s generation, moved from rural Ontario to Victoria, British Columbia, where he worked as a teacher and financial manager. He also served, unpaid, in the militia, winning recognition for his ability. By the end of World War I, his military brilliance, cool-headedness, and integrity had earned him a knighthood and the position of Inspector-General of the Canadian Army. Canada took its place in the eyes of the world as a mature nation, unique and independent of Britain, at least partly because of the leadership shown by General Sir Arthur Currie, a remarkable yet ordinary man.

Jim and Sue Waddington, a couple from Hamilton, Ontario, have contributed to Canadian history in an extraordinary way, too. By tracing the footprints of the Group of Seven artists, Jim and Sue have found important historical locations, and by sharing their discoveries, they have revitalized interest in Canadian art, built a network of devoted supporters, and uncovered a treasure of lost stories about famous and lesser-known people, places, and events that helped to define Canada in the twentieth century.

Extraordinary Times

We live in an extraordinary time. Good fortune has become more common and more democratic through technology, and technology allows life to change with unprecedented speed. Today, opportunities like the McMichael’s Canadian Cultural History Project can inspire ordinary people like ourselves to help change history.

The Canadian Cultural History Project

Explore the six Waddington Adventures and the six McMichael Stories in FootPrints. Listen, read, record, and research an artist, a location, a historical event, or a person. Then get involved. Use this website to share what you’ve learned and inspire others to join you in making Canadian cultural history.

Use your cellphone, your computer, your camera, or your digital recorder. Document and post your own Waddington Cultural History Project on the Students’, Teachers’ and Scholars’ Forum.

Be extraordinary. Get involved. Make history.

For Teachers

This FootPrints assignment can be used to support curricular objectives in History and Visual Arts. In Ontario, it specifically supports the following study units and expectations:

Canadian History in the Twentieth Century, Grade 10

Unit: Citizenship and Heritage

Overall Expectation:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of how individual Canadians have contributed to the development of Canada and an emerging sense of Canadian Identity.

Specific Expectations:

1. Explain how significant individuals contributed to the growing sense of Canadian identity during World War I

2. Assess the contributions of selected individuals to the development of Canadian Identity since World War I

Visual Arts, Grade 10

Unit: Theory

Overall Expectations:

1. Differentiate historical artworks by content, theme, style, techniques and materials

2. Explain the social and historical context and the chronology of distinctive artistic styles

Specific Expectations:

1. Describe the characteristics of a historical stylistic movement in Canadian art

2. Explain how their personal artworks have been influenced by works they have viewed in galleries and museums

3. Research the history of an art form, craft, or area of design