Treaties Recognition Week
Treaties Recognition Week is a time for all Canadians to learn about the importance of the treaties and treaty relationships that shape Ontario.
Ontario observes an annual Treaties Recognition Week the first week in November. This is a time for all Canadians to learn about the importance of the treaties and treaty relationships that shape Ontario.
Ontario as we know it today exists because of treaties – they underpin the places where we live, work and learn. The Treaties are legal agreements from a century ago that inform the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
While you may have heard the expression, “We are all treaty people” you may wonder what it means. First Nations people are the original occupants of the land now called Canada. They signed the Treaties in good faith as independent, self-governing nations with the expectation that the government would fulfill the promises they made to share the rich natural resources.
Unfortunately the government failed to act as a mutually respectful partner. Instead, the government targeted Indigenous peoples using colonial policies designed to exploit, assimilate and eradicate them. The Ontario government is currently working to rebuild its fractured relationship with Indigenous peoples and to educate all Ontarians about the value the treaties hold.
Source: Treaties | ontario.ca
- Check out this map created by Native Land Digital
- Check out #TreatyON on Twitter
- Register for a Virtual Living Library event
Related Books in our Collection:
- This is Our Territory by Gidigaa Migizi
- Surviving Canada: Indigenous Peoples Celebrate 150 Years of Betrayal by Kiera Ladner
- Turtle Island: The Story of North America’s First People by Eldon Yellowhorn
- Kanatsiohareke: Traditional Mohawk Indians Return to Their Ancestral Homeland by Tom Porter
- Oka: A Political Crisis and its Legacy by Harry Swain
- #Idlenmore and the Remaking of Canada by Ken Coates