Rainbow Schools participate in Treaty Recognition Week

Rainbow Schools are celebrating Treaty Recognition Week from November 6 to 10, 2017, as they 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.

Rainbow District School Board has provided professional learning that has included lesson plans and resources for teachers 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.

A.B. Ellis Public School
A.B. Ellis Public School will feature morning announcements created by students to educate and inform the school about treaties. Student research about treaties in the area will be displayed with information from the We are All Treaty People kit, including the completed Treaty of Niagara Covenant Chain Lego wampum belt.

Alexander Public School
Students at Alexander Public School will participate in read alouds and have group discussions regarding the different treaties. Attention will be given to Premier Wynne’s apology and statement of Ontario’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Students will also learn about residential schools through different readings and videos. Younger students will learn about traditions and acceptance.

Assiginack Public School
Students at Assiginack Public School will participate in a number of activities with a focus on treaties. Students will watch a video to increase awareness and create newsletters that highlight key facts about certain treaties. Students will also listen to a guest speaker discussing the history of treaties.

Churchill Public School
Ontario Regional Chief, Isadore Day, will visit Churchill Public School on Monday, November 6, 2017 at 1:15 pm to make a presentation to students.

Copper Cliff Public School
Junior and Intermediate students at Copper Cliff Public School will use resources to increase awareness about treaties. Students will engage in ongoing discussions to better understand treaties.

Cyril Varney Public School
Students at Cyril Varney Public School will participate in special presentations about treaties.Through the Ojibwe classes, the students will read the book “A Promise is a Promise”. Treaty maps will also be distributed. Students will embrace the history of indigenous people. A mini-handout will go home to educate families.

Lansdowne Public School
Chief Steve Miller will visit Lansdowne Public School on Monday to talk about the Robinson-Huron treaty which encompasses Aitkameksheng Anishnawbek. Treaty Recognition Week at Lansdowne will continue on Tuesday with a presentation by Brandon Petahtegoose on the “Spiritual Intent of Treaties and The Importance of the Cermonial Pipe”. Students will participate in story telling in the library on Wednesday with a focus on “We Are All Treaty People”. Activities will wrap up on Thursday with wampum belt making.

Larchwood Public School
In addition to a daily acknowledgement of the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Larchwood Public School will feature announcements that raise awareness and understanding about treaties. Each announcement will end with a question intended to stimulate conversation not only in the classroom, but also at home and in the community.

Little Current Public School
Students at Little Current Public School will focus on the Manitoulin Treaties of 1836 and 1862 and explore the resources in the kit “We Are All Treaty People”. Elder Josh Eshkawkogan will visit the school and discuss treaties with classes. Students will construct an interactive Map of Ontario Treaties using the coding program Scratch.

Markstay Public School
Markstay Public School will begin each morning playing the National Anthem sung in Ojibwe. On the announcements, students from the student council will read messages they have researched to educate and raise awareness about treaties and First Nation, Metis, and Inuit peoples. Each classroom will learn about the significance of wampum belts and have an opportunity to participating in a wampum belt activity.

Monetville Public School
Students at Monetville Public School will create announcements to raise awareness about treaties and local First Nations communities. The announcements, being prepared by students in Core Ojibwe classes, will be shared on morning annoucements throughout Treaty Recognition Week and posted on the school’s Facebook page. In addition, students will discuss the historical aspect of the treaties. “We Are All Treaty People” will be the focus of read alouds in classes.

Queen Elizabeth II Public School
Queen Elizabeth II Public School will feature morning announcements throughout the week, acknowledging the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and neighbouring community of Wahnapitae First Nation. On Monday, November 6, 2017, Grade 4 to 6 classes will welcome guest speaker, Lee Benson Nanigishikung, who will share information about The Robinson-Huron Treaty. On Thursday, November 9, 2017, Ramona Shawana will talk to students about “Treaty Relationships and Wampum Belts.” The week will culminate on Friday, November 10, 2017 at 1:45 pm with staff, students and parents/guardians taking part in a Roundance in the gymnasium.

R.H. Murray Public School
Students at R. H. Murray Public School will participate in a variety of activities to raise awareness about treaties, specifically the Robinson-Huron Treaty. A reflection statement that honours ancestors and the presence of First Nations people whose land we share will be read each week. Students will learn that all Canadians are treaty people. Primary students will participate in the creation of a stone garden and will make their own promises to maintain a positive school environment and show their commitment to reconciliation. Junior and intermediate students and staff will participate in a blanket exercise with members from the community to increase awareness and empathy.

S. Geiger Public School
On Wednesday, November 15, 2017, Historian Alan Toulouse will visit S. Geiger Public School to share the history of treaties with students in Grades 4 to 8. Students will be welcomed by an elder and will engage in conversation about the Robinson Huron Treaty. Primary students will have an opportunity to participate in a wampum belt presentation.

Valley View Public School
Teachers at Valley View Public School will read the book “We Are All Treaty People” to students. Students will participate in discussions about treaties throughout the week. Morning announcements to raise awareness about treaties will be shared throughout the week.

Westmount Avenue Public School
Students at Westmount Avenue Public School will watch a video and, with the use of technology, conduct research to increase their awareness about treaties. Students will have a circle discussion to explore the significance of the video and share their findings.

Lasalle Secondary School
Lasalle Secondary School will feature morning announcements throughout the week, acknowledging the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and offer thanks to them for allowing us to share their lands.

Manitoulin Secondary School
Students at Manitoulin Secondary School will use the “We Are All Treaty People” kit to highlight information about treaties in their school, including the creation of a display that includes the Treaty of Niagara Covenant Chain lego wampum belt. Lunch and learns will take place during the week with guest speakers sharing their knowledge of treaties.

Background:

In the spring of 2016, Ontario passed new legislation to recognize the importance of treaties and to bring awareness to the treaty relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the province.

The Treaties Recognition Week Act, 2016 introduced and passed with support of all parties that the first week of November each year is Treaty Recognition Week. This is the first legislation of its kind in Canada and provides a recurring opportunity for teachers to plan learning activities about treaties during the school year and promote awareness to the broader public.

Treaty Recognition Week is also another important step in Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

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Media Contact:

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