Treaties Recognition Week, November 4 – 8, 2019
Posted on 11/02/2019
Treaties Recognition Week, November 4 – 8, 2019
Treaties Recognition Week is recognized annually during the first week of November to honour the importance of treaties, and to help Ontarians learn more about treaty rights and treaty relationships. This important awareness occasion was first introduced in 2016, and has provided Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) with yet another opportunity to immerse students and staff in dialogue and learning related to the history, culture, and perspectives of Canada’s Indigenous citizens, including steps being taken towards reconciliation. This year, Treaties Recognition Week occurs from November 4 – 8, 2019.
There are many examples of treaty related learning that is happening in BWDSB both during Treaties Recognition Week, and throughout the year. On Friday, November 1 at Saugeen District Senior School, two separate assemblies were held to recognize the start of Treaties Recognition Week with special guest Darren Thomas, Bear Clan, Cayuga Nation, from the Six Nations of the Grand River. During Treaties Recognition Week, students will also be working together to complete a collaborative art piece.
BWDSB continues to dedicate substantial resources to Indigenous Education for students and staff, which includes in-depth learning related to treaties and treaty relationships:
- In October, a series of "Time for Change" Grade 6 social studies curriculum teacher training sessions were hosted by BWDSB Indigenous Advisor Stephanie Tschirhart with a focus on reconciliation, residential schools, treaties, and other aspects of Canadian Indigenous history and culture. The purpose was to assist educators in gaining confidence in their abilities to teach Indigenous content in their classrooms.
- A central resource library for Indigenous Education has been initiated at the BWDSB Education Centre to enable staff, teachers, and students to borrow materials through the board’s courier system.
- An Indigenous forum at the BWDSB Education Centre on self-empowerment with Cree/Métis motivational speaker and inspirational storyteller Earl Lambert hosted 78 Grades 7-12 students this past June.
- As many as 50 K-12 teachers also attended a forum in April at the same location with special guest Michael Etherington, who focused on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action 57 and 92.
Resources and important links
There are a number of available resources to assist educators during Treaties Recognition Week, and as they work to incorporate treaties related learning into the curriculum.
Several videos of Indigenous speakers sharing knowledge on treaties, including treaty relationships and rights in Ontario, are available at http://www.ontario.ca/page/videos-indigenous-voices-treaties.
The revised Social Studies, Grades 1 – 6; History and Geography, Grades 7 – 8 curriculum and Canadian and World Studies, Grades 9 – 10 curriculum include learning on Indigenous perspectives, history, culture, and contributions. This encompasses the important topics of residential schools and treaties, which are mandatory components of every student’s education in Grades 4 – 8 and Grade 10.
The revised First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies, Grades 9-12 curriculum was developed to increase learning around Indigenous art, literature, law, humanities, politics, and history.
The Government of Ontario has developed a number of resources and information on treaties at http://www.ontario.ca/treaties, while this news release from 2016 announces the introduction of Treaties Recognition Week.