- Definition
An Elder is a respected person in an Indigenous community who shares their wisdom about traditions, culture, and life, regardless of their age. People often go to Elders for guidance and advice.
An Elder might be invited to a family gathering to share a traditional story.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: In many First Nations communities, an Elder is a respected person who shares wisdom, teachings, and guidance.
Ask your child: What are respectful ways to listen when someone shares an important teaching?
Common mix-up: An Elder is not simply any older person. Communities recognize Elders in different ways, and local protocols guide how people ask for and receive their teachings.
Examples
- A family might ask an Elder for help in choosing a name for a new baby.
- An Elder might teach young people how to make a traditional craft or sing a special song.
Elder is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
- Grade 5 Health and Physical Education
- Grade 1 Social Studies / History / Geography
- Grade 2 Social Studies / History / Geography
- Grade 3 Social Studies / History / Geography
- Grade 4 Social Studies / History / Geography
+5 more mentions across the curriculum
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
