Both the St. Clair Catholic District School Board and the Lambton-Kent District School Board have observed Treaties Recognition Week 2022
Catholic school board officials say 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,” Catholic school board officials said in a media release.
“Staff and students (were set to) 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.”
Some of the highlights, included:
– 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 learn first-hand from partners, but will also use resources in each school’s Treaty Learning Tool Kit, which includes several books by Indigenous authors and wampum belts.
For more information, please visit the Board webpage regarding Treaties Recognition Week 2022.
Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) officials say Treaties Recognition Week is an annual event to recognize the history of treaty rights and why treaties matter.
With the support of the LKDSB Indigenous Education Team, staff and students engage in curriculum activities throughout the school year around the importance of treaties and our obligations to honour the original promises of the land, public school board officials say.
“The LKDSB works with Indigenous communities throughout the school year to provide educational opportunities that honour the cultures of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit people,” said Director John Howitt, in a media release.
“Treaties Recognition Week is part of ongoing conversations in our classrooms around Indigenous histories and relationships. This week provides another opportunity for us to deepen our knowledge and take action towards truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.”
The LKDSB recognizes the traditional land of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, EelÅnaapéewi Lahkéewiit (Delaware Nation), Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, and Walpole Island First Nation – Bkejwanong Territory.
LKDSB officials say they acknowledge that the Chippewa, Odawa, Potawatomi known as the Anishinaabeg and the Delaware known as Lunaapeew inhabited these lands at the time of the written treaties, these being Treaty #2, Treaty #7 and Treaty #29.
For more information about LKDSB Indigenous Education, visit the LKDSB website: www.lkdsb.net/Board/ind-edu
