Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What difficulties and hardships did Indigenous people endure as Canada was colonized? What are some challenges that the Indigenous people of Canada face today?

Teaching Suggestion: With sensitivity to students from diverse backgrounds, consider allowing students to read the overview of the history of Indigenous people in Canada and to compare some of the obstacles facing Indigenous peoples today. The main character, Jared, is part of an Indigenous group that has assimilated into Canadian culture. Some of the problems Jared faces are ones faced by other Indigenous people in Canada today.

• This article provides a brief overview of the history of Indigenous people in Canada.
• This 6-minute video describes 8 specific challenges facing Indigenous people in Canada today.

2. What is generational addiction? What increases the likelihood of addiction? How is choice important? What is the connection between DNA and addiction?

Teaching Suggestion: With sensitivity to family dynamics, consider discussing the connections between generational addiction and DNA. Jared is a product of generational addiction and is in an environment where drugs are prevalent in his household.