ANISHINABEK NATION HEAD OFFICE (November 2, 2020) – Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare says that the Anishinabek Nation is still committed to treaty education in Ontario and is excited about the development of online treaty education resources that will become available in the new year.

“We’ve been saying for years that treaty education, public education will help eliminate racism,” says Grand Council Chief Hare.  “We’re supporting teachers and students by making our treaty kits into online resources so that they can still learn about First Nations and the treaty relationship while at home or in the classroom.”

Treaty educator Kelly Crawford is working with Frame Sequence Photography to not only bring some of the “We are all Treaty People” teachers kit lesson plans to an online platform, but also will make the “Alex Shares his Wampum Belt” and “Dakota Talks about Treaties” connect to the Ontario curriculum and embark on a co-learning journey.

“In education, we are tasked with supporting the on-going growth and development of our students.  I see a parallel here in regards to the teaching profession,” says Crawford.  “The journey of understanding the treaty relationship and one’s role within it can be a collaborative journey with the teacher and the students. This is what we are trying to achieve with our new online treaty education resources. It’s okay to take that journey together and have clear discussions of the realities in which we live.  Educators have a role in the story of the treaty relationship.”

Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford acknowledges the importance of treaty education.

“I commend Anishinabek Nation’s ongoing work in promoting awareness and understanding of treaties and treaty relationships,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “Encouraging education around treaties is an important way to help nurture and advance the vital relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.”

The online treaty education resources will be available in spring of 2021.

To view a sneak-peek of the online treaty education resource, please visit the Anishinabek Nation YouTube channel.