The key principle for Mi’kmaw Studies 11 is that through inquiry into Mi’kmaw issues past, present, and future students will be able to answer the question, “How am I connected to the First Peoples of Nova Scotia?” Through taking this course students should become more informed, active citizens who have a holistic understanding of the relationship among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Nova Scotia and Canada. The course incorporates an inquiry-based approach and considers broad concepts such as governance, culture, education, spirituality, and social justice. Students analyze historical and Mi’kmaw issues, which will enable them to achieve a greater understanding of, and respect for, both Mi’kmaw society and Mi’kmaw contributions to Canadian society. Reflections on the future are integral to each concept. Although particular structures and sequences have been created for the course, students and their teachers are encouraged to draw connections between and among the various modules so that learning takes place in a context that makes the most sense for them. The course can be structured into the units designated in this curriculum document or into a chronological study.

11年级加拿大原住民文化研究的关键原则是，通过对过去、现在和未来的原住民问题的调查，学生将能够回答“我是如何与新斯科舍省的原住民民族联系在一起的？”这个问题。通过学习这门课程，学生应该成为更知情、更积极的公民，对新斯科舍省和加拿大的原住民居民和非原住民居民之间的关系有全面的了解。这门课程结合了探究的方法，并考虑了诸如政策、文化、教育、精神和社会正义等广泛的概念。学生分析历史和原住民问题，将使他们能够更好地理解和尊重原住民社会和原住民文化对加拿大社会的贡献。对未来的思考也是本课的重要组成部分。虽然课程已经创建了特定的结构和顺序，但鼓励学生和老师在各个单元之间建立联系，以便在对他们最有意义的顺序下学习。