Kids have fun learning about treaties
Special to Anishinabek News
NORTH BAY –Learning about serious topics like Canada’s treaty relationship with First Nations doesn’t have to be boring.
“I thought it was really cool that we learned this part of Canada’s history and we were able to teach each other,” said Ian, a Grade 7 student at St. Luke Catholic Elementary School. “It was interesting to create our own culture from using what we learned about the First Nations culture. We basically started with that and built upon it.”
Over 60 Grades 6, 7 and 8 students participated in a “We Are All Treaty People” day session organized by Intermediate Teacher Sue Korosec on June 13th.
“They found it interesting and eye-opening when they were told that they were also treaty people,” explained Korosec, who was assisted in presenting the program by Kelly Crawford, a staff member at Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute in M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island.
Students took part in a lesson plan based on the graphic novel “We Are All Treaty People”, a publication launched in 2011 by the Union of Ontario Indians. They also held a cultural potluck lunch and participated in a cultural simulation game.
The session began with the Grade 6 students taking an intimate look at the graphic novel, which traces the history of Anishinaabe people from their Creation story, through first contact with Europeans, the establishment of the treaty relationship, and subsequent events. As a class they interacted with the book through a read-aloud using a Smart Board followed by group question and answers. The class developed teams and then joined the older students to teach them what they learned about the treaty relationship.
“I like it because we were teaching each other that we are all treaty people,” said Mia, a Grade 8 student.
All the students came together for the sharing of a culture-inspired potluck lunch, with each student bringing in a dish from their own culture to share with their classmates.
In the afternoon the student teams developed their own cultures, an activity that allowed them to explore diversity in a safe learning environment. Students quickly learned how misconceptions about cultural differences can be fuelled.
“It was a great learning experience and a lot of fun!’ said Sam, a Grade 7 student. “I liked that we all came together to create something. We were working together. It showed that different cultures can work together.”
“We Are All Treaty People” has sold nearly 7,000 copies since first being published by the Union of Ontario Indians in 2011. Text was compiled by Maurice Switzer, Alderville First Nation, and features original watercolour illustrations by Charley Hebert, Dokis First Nation.
Copies are available for $25 plus shipping by calling 705-497-9127 ext. 2288. Educators can qualify for 40% discounts on orders of 100 copies or more and can preview the book by visiting http://www.anishinabek.ca/news.asp and clicking on the book image.