November 4 – 8, 2019 is Treaty Recognition Week in Ontario. This is part of a series of days bringing awareness to Indigenous issues known as Indigenous Education Month. OISE Library has a number of valuable materials for K-12, postsecondary and graduate students alike on Treaty Education. The Land which is now known as Toronto has been the subject of a treaty since the Toronto Purchase in 1787. It is also subject to the Williams Treaties. The current stewards and treaty holders for Toronto are the Mississauga of the New Credit First Nation. For more information on the treaties affecting Toronto, please see the Mississauga of the New Credit First Nation website on the Toronto Purchase and Treaty Lands & Territory. The University of Toronto Libraries also has a Research Guide entitled The Indigenous History of Tkaronto.

No surrender : the land remains Indigenous by Sheldon Krakowski details the negotiations of the Numbered Treaties, and especially the misleading of Indigenous Nations such as the Cree, Anishnabeg, Saulteaux, Assiniboine, Siksika, Piikani, Kainaa, Stoney and Tsuu T’ina Nations. This book focuses on the understanding that Indigenous Nations wanted to share the Land but the British Colonial and then Canadian Governments had no intention to negotiate in good faith.

Alex shares his Wampum by Kelly Crawford is a story of a student, Alex who talks about the importance of Wampums to his family and his community. In the story, Alex explains that Wampums were made to represent covenants and relationships that were meant to last. For a recorded reading of this book by the GEDSB Indigenous Education Youtube Channel, click here.

Treaties by Simon Rose is a reference material meant for students in primary grades to learn about the basics and definitions of treaties. Treaties reveals the pressures and negotiations that Indigenous Nations have felt over the continued stewardship and governance of Indigenous Lands.

For more Treaty Education materials, please refer to our book list Treaty Education and Geography.

Ontario Treaty Recognition Week