In 2016, the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs declared the first week of November each year as Treaties Recognition Week to honour treaties and help Ontarians learn about their significance and understand our collective responsibilities as treaty people.

During this time in November, staff and students across the St. Clair Catholic district will engage in a variety of learning experiences connected to Treaty Education and Land-Based Learning. 

Staff and students will participate with local community partners in treaty-focused experiential learning opportunities, as they develop better understandings and appreciation of treaties, histories, perspectives, and our relationships with one another and with creation. 

Highlights:

• Cecil Isaac, Bkejwanong Territory and Biingdigaygizhig, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation will bring Board-wide greetings, prayer, and song. Biindigaygizhig will also share learning about relationships with the land and environment. 
• Dean Jacobs, Bkejwanong Territory, will share about identity, relationships and sovereignty.  
• Dean Jacobs, Montana Riley, and Biindigaygizhig will connect with youth over two days at Bkejwanong Territory for an in-depth understanding of place and relationships. 
• Moses Lunham, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation will create art together with students about stories connected to the land. 
• Ray John Jr., Oneida Nation of the Thames, will share the Thanksgiving Address and opportunities for students to think about treaties as relationships with creation. 
• Lynda Lou Classens, Walpole Island First Nations Library, will share stories with students both in-person and virtually across the district.   
• Story Trails will be happening at several schools across the system to connect students to story and place. 
• All grade levels will not only be learn first-hand from partners, but will also use resources in each school’s Treaty Learning Tool Kit, which includes several Indigenous-authored books and wampum belts. 

For more information, please visit the Board webpage regarding Treaties Recognition Week 2022.