A letter to teachers on treaty education

October 24, 2019
Kelly Crawford. – Photo by Laura Barrios

Dear Fellow Educators,

Treaty Education week is fast approaching. Treaties Recognition Week is the first week of November every year. The week was introduced in 2016 to honour the importance of treaties and to help Ontarians learn more about treaty rights and treaty relationships. I write this letter of support for all of you in your journey to teach a past that wasn’t taught to most educators in the province of Ontario.

Most recently, I had a talk with a group of teachers from an Ontario school board. Their collective comments are the same that I heard from teachers years ago around treaty education. The following questions/concerns remain:

“I wasn’t taught this. Why?”

“I am fearful to cause more confusion for students.”

“What if I don’t have the answers?”

One question has really resonated with me over the past few days. One teacher questioned, “How can I get my students to even care about the treaty relationship?” As I have continued to mull this over, he is right. The world that we live in has been created by a narrative that many people believe; we are challenged by a system that has hidden the truth of this land.

How do we inspire students to see themselves in the treaty relationship?

In education, we are tasked with supporting the on-going growth and development of our students. I see a parallel here in regards to the teaching profession. We are also tasked with the on-going growth and development of ourselves; teaching is not intended to be stagnant. The journey of understanding the treaty relationship and one’s role within it can be a collaborative co-created journey with the teacher and the students. It is ok to take that journey together and have clear discussions of the realities in which we live in. As an educator, you have such great influence for the future leaders of this province. Educators have a role in the story of the treaty relationship…perhaps you are facilitators of a much- needed truthful discussion of connection to land and reconciliation via education.

I have included some resources below to support your learning. On November 4 – 8, 2019, create space for your students to explore the treaty relationship. This will allow them to be part of the story.

Respectfully,

Kelly Crawford

Kelly Crawford is a citizen of M’Chigeeng First Nation. She holds a Master of Arts-Integrated Studies degree with a concentration in culture and education from Athabasca University. She is currently a PhD candidate in the Human Studies program at Laurentian University. She is the author of the ‘We Are All Treaty People’ teacher’s kit, Kindergarten to Grade 8; ‘Gdoo-Sastamoo Kii Mi, Understanding our Nation-to-Nation Relationship: a Practical Teachers Resource Guide’; Dakota Talks About Treaties; Alex Shares His Wampum Belt. Ms. Crawford is currently the Assistant Director of Indigenous Initiatives with the University of Toronto.

Treaty Resources: