What is a Debate?

A debate is an organized discussion between two groups of people about a controversial topic. Usually the debate happens in public with an audience of peers watching. Debates can be formal or informal.

What is Creative Controversy?

Creative controversy allows learners to discuss an issue in small groups, instead of ‘performing’ in front of an audience. The goal is to present the best argument and to reach a group consensus, rather than ‘winning’ a debate.

Ideas for Discussing Controversial Issues

• After the research is complete and the literacy group has had a chance to think, discuss, read and write about the topic, consider holding a debate or creative controversy session. During your work, the group may have encountered an important issue about which people have differing views. Think about the views of the Elders you interviewed and your own views. How are they similar? How are they different?
• Debate only among literacy group members.

or...

• Invite guests from the community to be observers or participants.
• Hold a creative controversy session, an informal debate or a formal one.
• Hold a class discussion to choose the two sides of the question. Choose the exact wording that will be used for the two opposing statements. For example:
  • Drum dancing (or throat singing) should only be performed in its traditional form; altering the form or modernizing it is disrespectful and will cause the traditional form to be lost over time.
  • Young people should be able to express their individuality and their culture by changing and modernizing drum dancing (or throat singing); it will allow this cultural form to remain a vital part of our modern lives.

Discussing controversial issues in Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun is a good way to strengthen oral language skills.