Station 2: Caribou symbol discussion guide and tasks

Objectives

• Demonstrate an understanding of the important caribou symbol for Newfoundlanders for remembering and honouring those who served in the First World War,
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance that war memorials have in helping Canadians honour the sacrifices and achievements of our Veterans and war dead, and
• Using the fast facts, the poster, the information about the Caribou Trail and the image gallery, youth will work as a group to educate their peers about the caribou symbolism in memory of those who fought at Beaumont-Hamel and the Battle of the Somme 100 years ago.

Tasks

Read and discuss as a group

• Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial fast facts

View poster

• Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial poster (pdf)

After reading, look at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial poster as a group. What are your immediate impressions of the poster? Does anything catch your eye? How does the poster make you feel? What message is it trying to communicate? What is symbolic? Why is it important to create and maintain memorials like the one in Beaumont-Hamel?

View image gallery

Next, look through the image gallery to see the Trail of the Caribou in France, Belgium and Newfoundland. It is a special caribou trail of remembrance. The caribou is an important symbol to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. They are native animals there and can be found on the cap badges, hockey sweaters and even street signs. You may wish to visit the VAC website for more information on the Caribou Trail in France and Belgium.

Prepare your presentation

After reviewing the photos and the poster, as a group, develop your own poster or slideshow about the Caribou Trail and the caribou symbolism to share with your classmates. You could possibly create a word cloud. The caribou is the emblem for the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. You might discuss and describe what a memorial from your town or province/territory might look like based on important symbols from your area. Share your slide show and word cloud with your classmates.