Indigenous people of the Arctic and Subarctic are famous leaders, artists, athletes, activists and many other professions. Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of Indigenous peoples. In this activity, students will research an indigenous person from the Arctic/Subarctic region and then create a biography poster highlighting their life and accomplishments.
Using one of the templates or starting from scratch on the poster layout, students will build up a profile of their chosen figure. Depending on requirements or complexity, students can add timelines to their posters. However, the wide variety of characters, scenes, and items makes it very easy for students to customize their project to fit any guidelines.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Some examples of people to research:
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable person that is of Indigenous heritage from the Arctic or Subarctic region. Create a Biography Poster that highlights their major accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishments.
Encourage students to share what they learned and reflect on Indigenous perspectives. Meaningful discussions deepen understanding and build empathy by allowing students to connect personally with the experiences and contributions of Arctic First Nations people.
Establish discussion guidelines that value every voice and promote respectful listening. This helps create a supportive environment where students feel safe sharing their thoughts and questions about Indigenous histories and accomplishments.
Pose questions like “What surprised you about this person’s life?” or “How did their culture influence their achievements?” Open-ended prompts foster deeper thinking and invite multiple perspectives.
Ask students to compare their lives or communities with those of the Indigenous figures studied. Drawing personal connections makes history more relatable and memorable.
Model curiosity by inviting students to ask questions about the challenges and successes of Arctic Indigenous people. This builds critical thinking and helps dispel stereotypes through inquiry-based learning.
A biography poster activity invites students to research a notable Indigenous person from the Arctic or Subarctic and create a poster highlighting their life, accomplishments, and cultural significance. This hands-on project helps students develop research and presentation skills while learning about real people from Indigenous communities.
Start by exploring a list of famous Arctic First Nations figures such as Thanadelthur, Taqulittuq, Ada Blackjack, or Kenojuak Ashevak. Consider selecting someone whose story interests you or who made significant contributions as a leader, artist, or activist.
Be sure to add your person's name, image, birth/death dates, and a summary of their major accomplishments. Use words and pictures to show their impact and try to include timelines or scenes for extra detail.
Researching real Indigenous Arctic figures helps students gain a deeper, more empathetic understanding of diverse cultures, perspectives, and histories. It also fosters respect and awareness of the achievements of Arctic First Nations people.
You can access biography poster templates online, through school resources, or by creating your own. Many educational websites and teaching platforms offer free, customizable templates specifically for student projects.