Treaties Recognition Week 2021
Posted on 11/01/2021
Students and staff in Bluewater District School Board are learning about the importance of treaties, treaty rights, treaty relationships, and our obligations in honouring them. During Treaties Recognition Week from November 1 to 7, 2021, we focus and reflect on the role and history of treaties in establishing agreements between Indigenous communities, governments, and Canadians, and their relevance today.
Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario was first declared by the provincial government in 2016 following the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. It is an opportunity for us to increase our awareness of treaties, build and strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and take further meaningful action in our reconciliation efforts.
Treaties Recognition Week in Bluewater:
A second professional activity day presentation with educator and writer Dr. Niigaan Sinclair on the themes of equity, and Truth and Reconciliation was offered to all staff and trustees on Friday, October 29.
.jpg "Student created totem pole art at Hanover Heights Community School")
At Hanover Heights Community School, a school community art project has been underway since the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. Each student was given a feather to come up with their own creation. The powerful words on the feathers reflect the in-class learning about the Seven Grandfather Teachings. The Grade 2/3 class also enjoyed a Treaties Recognition Week themed puppet show put on by the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, and student created totem poles and other art creations could be seen throughout the school.
Resources and important links:
An educator toolkit from the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, which includes Virtual Living Library events for classes with Indigenous Elders and knowledge keepers, and other learning resources are available at this link.
Information on treaties, videos featuring Indigenous voices, treaty maps, and resources for teaching and learning can be found at https://www.ontario.ca/page/treaties.
The 2018 Ontario Curriculum, Social Studies, Grades 1 to 6; History and Geography, Grades 7 and 8 and Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10, Canadian and World Studies were revised in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and include topics such as residential schools and treaties, which are mandatory components of every student’s education in Grades 4 to 8 and Grade 10.
The 2019 Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 to 12: First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies focuses on increasing learning around Indigenous art, literature, law, humanities, politics, and history.
.jpg "\"We Are Listening\" bulletin board at Hanover Heights Community School with student standing in front of school art project that includes wings made of student created feathers containing powerful words")
.jpg "Student created feather art at Hanover Heights Community School with the words, \"Love\" and \"Accepted\"")
.jpg "Student created feather art at Hanover Heights Community School with the words, \"We All Care\"")