Rainbow Schools participate in Treaty Recognition Week

Rainbow Schools will once again celebrate Treaty Recognition Week from November 4 to 8, 2019. Staff and students will continue to learn about the histories, cultures, contributions and perspectives of First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples of Canada.

Activities and lessons throughout the week will create awareness about treaties and treaty relationships, in keeping with the Truth and Reconciliation: Commitment to Action plan adopted by the Board.

Rainbow District School Board has provided professional learning for teachers, including lesson plans and resources to incorporate treaty education into their classrooms. Treaty Recognition Week provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of the treaties, deepen knowledge and build understanding.

Grand Council Chief Patrick Wedaseh Madahbee will visit secondary schools this month and throughout the school year to educate staff and students about treaties. He will also deliver a treaty learning session on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 4 pm for Rainbow District School Board Centre for Education staff in the Ernie Checkeris Boardroom.

Patrick Wedaseh Madahbee recently completed his third consecutive term as Grand Council Chief. Retiring from politics in June of 2018, he is focused on using his life experiences to share his knowledge. He served one term as Grand Council Chief in 1980, the youngest Grand Council Chief ever at 27 years of age. He is also the President of the Union of Ontario Indians and the Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charity.

Assiginack Public School
Students at Assiginack Public School will participate in a number of activities with a focus on treaties. Primary students will have lessons about treaties and friendships, and will create treaty medallions using art. Junior/intermediate students will learn about treaties history and Wampum. Students will use activities to link their learning with social studies and history.

Barrydowne College
During Treaty Recognition Week, students at Barrydowne College will create traditional Wampum Belts made with beads using looming techniques. Some belts will be on display. Students will also learn about the historical importance of treaties with the book “We Are All Treaty People” by Maurice Switzer and Charley Herbert. The week will culminate with a screening of the documentary “Trick or Treaty: The Fight for Justice”.

C.R. Judd Public School
Students will follow the Robinson-Huron Treaty lawsuit, which focuses on upholding the promise of increasing the annuity set at $4 per person in the 1870’s. Students will work on activities from the “We Are All Treaty People” kit, including a LEGO Wampum Belt. Following a viewing of the story “We Are All Treaty People”, intermediate students will summarize their learning by writing announcements. Students will also look at the Seven Sacred Teachings, and will use animals and character traits for each to make posters.

Cyril Varney Public School
Primary students from Cyril Varney Public School will explore treaties and their meanings. Junior students will use resources to learn about the Robinson-Huron Treaty, and our responsibility to continue this journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Questions and facts will be shared through electronic announcements to maintain dialogue in all classrooms.

Lansdowne Public School
Students at Lansdowne Public School will use a variety of resources to develop a better understanding about treaties. Students will also engage in ongoing discussions regarding treaty history and significance.

Markstay Public School
Markstay Public School students will take part in a variety of hands-on activities to learn about the significance of Wampum Belts. Students will take an inquiry approach to learning about treaties, with a special focus on the Robinson-Huron Treaty.

R.L. Beattie Public School
Primary and junior students at R.L. Beattie Public School will take part in activities to develop a better understanding about treaties, including ongoing discussions regarding their history and significance.

S. Geiger Public School
All students from S. Geiger Public School will participate in workshops. Each presentation will include a mini-lesson with age appropriate reading material and a hands-on activity. Students in Grades 6 to 8 will enjoy a visit from a local Indigenous historian who will speak about treaties, including our local Robinson-Huron Treaty.

Valley View Public School
The entire Valley View Public School community will take part in a Pow Wow circle, including guests from Wahnapitae First Nation, drummers and dancers in regalia. Students will delight their taste buds with traditional taco cuisine, and will create moccasins out of felt and symbols. Each student will make one moccasin with First Nation, Métis and Inuit designs. Finished moccasins will be on display. All five Kindergarten classes will learn about the colours, symbols and meaning for each part of the Medicine Wheel. Students will also take part in “Rock your Mocs” Day on Friday, November 15, 2019.

Westmount Public School
Throughout Treaty Recognition Week, students at Westmount Public School will read “We Are All Treaty People” by Maurice Switzer and Charley Herbert. They will also participate in various math and art activities as well as discussions to create an awareness using the “We Are All Treaty People” learning kit.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217.