What is Treaties Recognition Week?
More than 40 treaties and other land agreements cover Ontario. Treaties are legal agreements that set out the rights and responsibilities of First Nations and the provincial and federal governments.
Treaties Recognition Week takes place on the first full week of November every year.
Treaties Recognition week was introduced by the Ontario government in 2016 to honour the importance of treaties and to help Ontarians learn more about treaty rights and treaty relationships.
Two treaties were signed in the York Region area: Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaty with the Chippewa of Christian Island, Georgina Island and Rama.
We are all treaty people.
Treaties hold the keys to a new path forward as living agreements regarding relationships between First Nations and settlers in the past, for the present and towards the future.
The original spirit and intent of treaty involves understanding and upholding the agreements people actually negotiated, rather than focusing on how treaties have been reinterpreted long after the fact.
Treaties were intended to make peace, not end war.
How will the YCDSB be honouring Treaty Recognition Week?
To honour Treaties Recognition Week, students in the York Catholic District School Board may be engaged in a week of activities which present opportunities for learning and reflection on an important part of Canada’s history and to continue to honour existing treaty relationships and to help students understand that we are all treaty people.
- Click on the link to learn more about Treaty Recognition Week.
How can I learn more about treaties?
The Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs offers a variety of online tools with learning resources and invites the public to join the conversation happening across Ontario on social media. Find more events and activities across the province.
- Find an assortment of educational resources on treaties on Anishinabek Nation’s website.
Below are a few activities you can do on your own or with your student/child: