From November 5 to 11, 2023, Ontario celebrates Treaties Recognition Week. In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, Bluewater District School Board joins the call to provide continuous learning and heightened awareness among students and staff of treaty rights, treaty relationships, and their current significance. It is also an opportunity to think about ways in which relationships can be cultivated and strengthened between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Treaties are legally binding agreements that set out the rights, responsibilities and relationships of First Nations and the federal and provincial governments. – Source: Government of Ontario
In Bluewater District School Board, we recognize that we are all treaty people under Treaties No. 45 ½, the Saugeen Peninsula Treaty No. 72, the Owen Sound Nawash Treaty No. 82, and the Colpoy’s Bay Treaty No. 93. We recognize and honour the original inhabitants of these Anishinaabe traditional lands. Every one of us in this community holds a responsibility for understanding the history of this land, and the history of how this land came to be shared between our First Nation, Métis, Inuit, and settler colonialist populations through treaties.
An instructional focus in our schools during Treaties Recognition Week is the history and importance of treaties, and ensuring we honour these agreements. Providing an in-depth understanding in this area aligns with our continued work along the healing journey and our response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
Resources and important links:
Treaties Recognition Week (ontario.ca)
Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies, History, and Geography (2023)
Ontario Curriculum: Canadian and World Studies
Ontario Curriculum: First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies (2019)
21 Things™ You May Not Have Known About the Indian Act (ictinc.ca)
Treaty Education (anishinabek.ca)
Native-Land.ca – App to help map Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages
Ontario First Nations Maps (ontario.ca)
Canadian Heritage Minute: The making of Treaty 9
The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund