The Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) is joining communities across Ontario this week in observing Treaties Recognition Week, a time set aside to learn about the enduring significance of treaties and to reflect on the shared responsibilities of all Treaty People.
“Treaties are not relics of the past,” the LKDSB said in a statement Monday. “They are living agreements, rooted in principles of mutual respect, understanding, and coexistence between Indigenous Nations and settler governments. Yet, the promises made have too often been broken—resulting in deep and lasting harm to Indigenous communities across Turtle Island.”
The school board said reconciliation begins with truth and encouraged students, staff, and community members to use the week to learn about the history and intent of treaties, listen to Indigenous voices, and confront colonial systems that continue to marginalize Indigenous rights and perspectives.
“Honouring Treaties Recognition Week means doing more than acknowledging the past—it means committing to change,” the statement continued. “This is not a one-week commitment. It’s part of a lifelong journey of learning and unlearning—of building relationships grounded in accountability, respect, and shared responsibility.”
The LKDSB’s message emphasizes that the week is both educational and action-oriented, inviting the community to explore the true history of the land, challenge narratives that obscure treaty violations, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples in their pursuit of justice, recognition, and cultural preservation.
Treaties Recognition Week was first established in Ontario in 2016 to promote awareness of the treaties that define the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The LKDSB noted that together, communities can help create a future “where treaties are not only remembered, but upheld — where Indigenous rights are honoured, and where education becomes a powerful tool for truth and reconciliation.”
