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Grand Erie Marks Treaties Recognition Week

 

Grand Erie District School Board is honouring Treaties Recognition Week, November 4-8, by adding to the resources already available for educators, and emphasizing the ongoing professional development and community-building that happens year-round throughout the Board.

“Treaties Week is a wonderful time to highlight the importance of treaties and wampum for this area,” said Sabrina Sawyer, Indigenous Education Lead for Grand Erie. “However, it’s important to be aware of treaties and their significance all year round, not just during one week. Our Grand Erie educators have been doing a lot of work with our community members in a variety of programs to strengthen these relationships on a regular basis, and build their own understanding and capacity alongside our students.”

Resources designed for elementary school students offer introductions to the history of Indigenous peoples within the story of Canada and provide a way to explore early agreements and treaties using a historical inquiry method.

“Treaty is always about relationships,” said Sawyer. “Our relationship to the land, to one another, and between nations, including both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.”

Grand Erie is committed to the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, specifically calls 62 and 63, which recognize the need to build teacher capacity and student understanding.

Treaties Week aligns with Grand Erie's Multi-Year Plan, Success for Every Student, through the Equity Indicator. With its commitment to the Calls to Action, Grand Erie is working to promote practices that help students, families, and staff feel safe, welcomed and included.

Photos by Grand Erie Communications

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