Treaty Learning Centre open for education in Treaty relationships

By Kelly Ann Smith

NORTH BAY—The RBC Treaty Learning Centre was launched at the Education Centre Library during Nipissing University’s Indigenous Week.

The Treaty Learning Centre houses information on the significance and meaning of Treaty Belts.

Elder Peter Beaucage of Nipissing First Nation gave his teachings and prayers, “For a good learning day for all of us” as Nipissing University’s Elder-in-Residence John Sawyer of Nipissing First Nation provided smudging to everyone in attendance.

Tanya Lukin-Linklater, the director of the Office of Aboriginal Initiatives at Nipissing University named a 2014 symposium by the Union of Ontario Indians as the impetus to the Treaty Learning Centre.

Marci Becking, editor of Anishinabek News was commended for her work on Treaty education, especially with the We Are Treaty People publication.

Alexander Hebert, 10,  from Dokis First Nation held a Treaty wampum belt up high. He was just seven years old when he designed the LEGO Treaty of Niagara Wampum Belt which is now a teaching tool for students across Canada.  Beside him, teacher Kelly Crawford spoke about writing the primary grade lesson plans that accompany the We Are Treaty People Education Kits.  Crawford announced that Gdoo-Sastamoo Kii Mii  for Grades 9 through 12 is now available in English and will be available in French this December.

Alexander’s Great-Uncle Charley Hebert was in attendance. He is the artist who created full paintings for each page of the book We Are Treaty People.

Ontario’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation David Zimmer spoke, ensuring that Ontario is committed to reconciliation. He announced Treaties Recognition Week, occurring every November to teach Treaty history.

Minister Zimmer urged non-Indigenous people to get educated on Treaty relationships. He told the audience that he keeps a copy of Treaty No. 9 in his office to start conversations. The book is by Dr. John Long, a professor at Nipissing University. Long passed away March 2.

Ontario Human Rights Commissioner Maurice Switzer, in a vest replicating the 1764 Treaty of Niagara Belt, talked on the importance of setting up Treaty commissions such as those in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Speakers would educate on Treaty relationships. “We thought the work should be started and not wait for anybody else. It is up to each of us to do the right thing.”

An honour song by Master student Paige Restoule of Dokis First Nation, Brennan Govender and Duane Linklater, both from Moose Factory First Nation, was sung for professor Dr. John Long and Grand Chief Dr. Stan Louttit for their contributions to education on Treaty #9.

Stan Louttit was a grand chief of the Mushkegowuk Cree whose grandfather was one of those who signed the treaty. Louttit spoke out on the lack of respect given to oral history.

Dr. Long was critical of the forced ignorance of the First Nation Treaty signers of the contract. Dr. Long’s 2010 book, Treaty No. 9: Making the Agreement to Share the Land in Far Northern Ontario in 1905, is featured in the RBC Treaty Learning Centre.

Lorraine Sutherland from the Mushkegowuk region attended the opening.  She remembers Dr. Long warmly while defending her thesis under him. “My Master’s thesis is called, My Mother’s Stories.”

Dr. Long advised not to skip over the horrendous history of Residential Schools in her work. “He understood the importance of oral history. He was a big supporter of success for Aboriginal students.

“He was able to understand and speak Cree. I came down from the north to find a professor who was not from the north, who was not Indigenous, who could speak my language.”

Sutherland was the first student to make use of the RBC Treaty Learning Centre. She approached staff at Nipissing University for an alternative room to interview her mother for an oral history recording. A room was originally offered in the research department. “It was too institutional. Out of respect for my mother, I knew it wouldn’t do.” Her mother Irene Sutherland is an Indian Residential School Survivor.

With the help of Office of Aboriginal Initiatives, Sutherland was offered the RBC Treaty Learning Centre for the interview.