Anishinabek Nation kicks off Treaties Recognition Week with new online treaty education resources for everyone
ANISHINABEK NATION HEAD OFFICE (November 1, 2021) – Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe says that the Anishinabek Nation remains committed to its part in treaty education in Ontario as the sixth year of celebrating Treaties Recognition Week goes underway.
He welcomes all to celebrate the recent launch of Ezhi-nawending: How We Are Related online elementary treaty education resource and a similar project for secondary students that will become available next spring.
“Treaties are the foundational documents of Canada,” states Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe. “Treaties are equal to the Constitution and are enshrined within. To move forward as a Nation, both must be upheld and honoured to their full spirit and intent. Anishinabek Nation is proud to provide accessible teaching tools to facilitate the process. Learn more about the Treaties today to build a better future.”
Treaty educator Kelly Crawford is working once again with Frame Sequence Photography to build on the secondary school teacher’s kit: Gdoo-Sastamoo Kii Mi: Understanding our Nation to Nation Relationship and connect to the Ontario Curriculum for a co-education journey through the development of another online education resource. All education resources produced by the Anishinabek Nation are made for everyone to learn from – not just First Nations students and teachers.
“This online resource will guide students in learning about Turtle Island, Worldview, Wampum, Contact, Treaty Relationships, Land Disputes and the Future,” states Crawford. “Based on Gdoo-Sastamoo Kii Mi, the resource will support secondary students and teachers in a virtual world connected to the Ontario Curriculum.”
The new online education resource for secondary students will be available in spring 2022.
“It is important for the history of our treaties to be taught to all learners from very early on so that they have a better understanding of challenges and issues Indigenous people face largely attributed to treaties not being upheld,” says Anishinabek Nation Southeast Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief and Education Portfolio Holder James Marsden. “These resources are an excellent stepping stone in a student’s learning journey.”
As part of Treaties Recognition Week and public education, Anishinabek Nation Children’s Commissioner Ogimaa Duke Peltier explores the importance of honouring treaties.
“Treaties are the fabric and the foundation of this territory — of the Great Lakes region. And as a treaty partner, the Crown must commit to implementing the full spirit and intent of what our ancestors had agreed upon,” states Anishinabek Nation Children’s Commissioner Duke Peltier. “Treaties are real, they’re living, and they need to be implemented. A good place to start teaching this is in the classroom with our youngest learners. The ministries of education have an opportunity to include the true histories of this country as part of their curriculum.”
Minister of Indigenous Affairs Ontario Greg Rickford acknowledges the importance of treaty education.
“Anishinabek Nation should be proud of their leadership in continuing to develop education resources to increase awareness and understanding of treaty rights and the relevance they hold today,” says Minister Rickford. “Fostering treaty education helps make modern treaty relationships real and meaningful for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples alike.”
The Anishinabek Nation will continue to observe Treaties Recognition Week from November 1-5 by sharing information and resources virtually through their social media and the Anishinabek News.
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