Treaties Recognition Week
Nov 6, 2017
The week of November 5 to 11 is Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario. Through local elders and the Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE), Lakehead Public Schools students will learn about treaty rights and responsibilities throughout the week. In 2016, Ontario passed new legislation to bring awareness to the treaty relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the province.
“It is extremely important for our students to learn about the importance of treaties and the responsibilities that we all have in relation to treaties,” says Ashley Nurmela, First Nations, Metis & Inuit Community Liaison Officer at Lakehead Public Schools. “We are extremely fortunate to have the support and guidance of our local elders and the Canadian Roots Exchange so that our students will be able to learn about treaty rights and treaty relationships.”
Local elders will visit a number of elementary schools to speak to students about treaties throughout Treaties Recognition Week. Elders frequently visit our schools and are welcomed by all, they are essential on our journey towards reconciliation as a school, community and country. For periods of time in each elementary school throughout the week, Elders will be “Living Libraries” where they will tell the stories of our past and the students will have a chance to ask questions and engage the “living Books”.
Secondary students will have the opportunity to participate in workshops presented by the Canadian Roots Exchange. Founded in 2008, Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE) is a leading national youth-led charitable organization that delivers reconciliation-based programming to build positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in Canada. CRE Youth Facilitators, trained Indigenous and non-Indigenous local youth, will facilitate interactive presentations at the secondary schools that will incorporate experiential learning, cultural exchange, and self-reflection on the roles and responsibilities of Indigenous and non-Indigenous high school students as Treaty People living in Ontario.
Canadian Roots Exchange Presentations
Hammarskjold High School
Library
Tuesday, November 7
1:00 p.m.
Elder “Living Library” Visits
Nor’wester View Public School
Monday, November 6
9:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Agnew H. Johnston Public School – being held in the Library at Churchill Collegiate and Vocational Institute
Monday, November 6
1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Algonquin Avenue Public School
Wednesday, November 8
9:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Woodcrest Public School
Wednesday, November 8
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Ogden Public School
Friday, November 10
9:00 a.m.to 12 noon
