PVNC Catholic celebrates Treaties Recognition Week

Oct. 30, 2024

As part of our commitment to Indigenous education and fostering meaningful relationships with the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board is excited to recognize Treaties Recognition Week from November 3 to 9, 2024.

This special week encourages students, staff, families, and our broader community to learn about treaties and their ongoing significance in our shared history

What are treaties?

Treaties are legally binding agreements between Indigenous Peoples and the Crown, defining the rights, responsibilities, and relationships of all parties involved. A key focus of this year’s learning is on the Williams Treaties, signed in October and November 1923 with seven Anishinaabe First Nations, including the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Peoples, whose traditional lands include areas where our schools are situated today.

These historical agreements continue to shape relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Understanding these treaties helps students recognize their relevance and importance in Canada’s journey toward truth, reconciliation, and respectful partnerships.

Bringing treaty education into the classroom

Throughout Treaties Recognition Week, students will engage in activities that promote awareness and reflection on treaty rights and relationships. Classroom learning will feature:

• Interactive lessons exploring the stories behind the Williams Treaties.
• Videos, discussions, and literature such as We Are All Treaty People by Maurice Switzer of Alderville First Nation, which emphasize shared responsibility for these agreements.
• Creative projects and cultural activities to connect the concept of treaties with art, language, and history, fostering both understanding and empathy.

Teachers are integrating these topics into multiple subjects, helping students see treaties not as distant legal documents, but as living agreements that guide relationships today

Learning beyond the classroom

Families are invited to join us on this journey by engaging with resources available on our website, including links to the Anishinabek Nation and Métis Nation of Ontario education portals.

Together, we can deepen our knowledge and appreciation of treaties and their significance to our shared future.