Each year during the first week of November, Ontarians observe Treaties Recognition Week to honour the importance of treaties and help students and the people of Ontario learn more about treaty rights and relationships. 

Throughout the week of November 6-11, staff and students across every Catholic school in the district will engage in first-hand in-person learning experiences with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders, with a focus on identity, place, and diversity. Students will learn more deeply through story, song, art and connections with the land and local communities. In addition to in-person connections, staff and students will also participate in treaty-focused virtual learning opportunities, as they develop better understandings and appreciation of treaties, histories, perspectives and our relationships with one another and with creation. 

Within Treaty Week, we remember and honor Indigenous Veterans on November 8, with a special presentation from Maurice Switzer, as he shares about the contributions of Indigenous Veterans and their significant impact to Canada. 

Highlights:

• Biindigaygizhig, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation will connect with an in-depth understanding of place and relationships.
• Lynda Lou Classens, Walpole Island First Nations Library, will share stories with connected to place and identity.
• Jason Henry, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, will share about identity, relationships and sovereignty.
• Neva Isaac-Sands, Bkejwanong Territory will connect with identity and being Anishinaabe from Bkejwanong Territory.
• Moses Lunham, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation will create art through story together with students about what it means to be Anishinaabe and from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
• Deb and Barry Milliken, Kettle and Stony Point will bring story and song to youth to share about relationships with the land and environment.
• Herb Snake, Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit, will share it means to be Lenape and from Delaware Nation through story and dance .
• Sophie Solares, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, will share story and song connected to identity and place.
• Janet Steadman, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, will share story connected to water 
• Steve Tooshkenig, Bkejwanong Territory, will share what it means to be Anishinaabe, Mohawk, and Lenape and from Bkejwanong Territory.

• All grade levels will not only learn first-hand from partnerships but will also use resources in each school’s Treaty Learning Tool Kit, which includes several Indigenous-authored books and wampum belt teaching kits. 

For more information on Treaty Education including local connections, please visit the Board webpage and calendar for Treaties Recognition Week 2023.