Treaties Recognition Week honours the importance of treaties and increases awareness of the treaty relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and communities in Ontario. It is a week of activities whose purpose is to help Ontario students and residents understand the significance of treaty rights and treaty relationships. It is important to understand that treaties still have relevance for all people living in Canada today.
Nih-ti-meh-ga-bow (First One Standing), whose English name is Darrell Boisseneau, shares his knowledge of pre-Confederation treaties, in particular, the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850. This video is filmed on the land where the Robinson-Huron Treaty was signed in 1850. This place, in the English language, is called Sault Ste. Marie. In Anishinaabemowin, it is called Bauwaating. This particular treaty was signed pre-Confederation, before Canada was a country.
Before the treaty discussions began, the Indigenous participants prepared for the event with the traditional customs and protocols of lighting a sacred fire, lighting pipes and singing songs to start the discussions in a good way. Treaties are regarded by Indigenous peoples as living documents, signed in sacred ceremonies by the ancestors, with spiritual significance. They are connected to history by oral tradition passed down by the elders. They are an agreement between two nations.
The Robinson-Huron Treaty discussions were initiated by Chief Shingwauk of Garden River in response to mining development at Mica Bay on Lake Superior that began without consultation with the original people of the land. When the government did not respond quickly to the request for discussions, Chief Shingwauk travelled with lawyers and other officials and fired a cannon into the Bay. This initiated the treaty negotiations that resulted in the Robinson-Huron Treaty.
Darrel Boissoneau reminds us that we are all treaty people and that it is important to know what our roles, responsibilities and duties are as treaty people. He also commented on the sounds of the birds and squirrels in the background of the video, reminding us that they carry the spirits of the ancestors. The spirts of the ancestors are intentionally here to acknowledge our presence in keeping the treaties.
- Listen to further talks about treaties from Indigenous voices
- Watch a plenary panel, bringing together thinkers from across the country, addressing the question of what it means to see "treaties as technologies of justice."
- Visit Humber Libraries Treaties Recognition Week website, with further readings on the Treaty Relationship, the Indigenous Land of Tkaronto, Two Row Wampum and more
Created by Regina Hartwick (Associate Dean, Indigneous Education & Engagement), Nahannee Schuitemaker (Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogy Specialist), Lynn Short (Indigenous Curriculum Specialist, Land and Culture-Based Programs) and Aliya Dalfen (Liaison Librarian, Humber Libraries).