The Grade Nine Social Studies course focuses on the many ways that ancient cultures have influenced and contributed to the way of life in Canadian society. The course is designed to help students understand the origins of specific customs and beliefs that exist within our society, how they have become ingrained within our culture and how they influence our actions and behaviours. To achieve this understanding, the course explores two major traditions or roots that have had a major impact on the development of the Canadian identity. The first of these is the tradition that developed in the Ancient Middle East and came down to us through our European roots. The second is the cultural traditions that developed over thousands of years in North America.