In 2016, Ontario passed the first legislation of its kind in Canada declaring the first week of November as Treaties Recognition Week. Treaties Recognition Week honours the importance of treaties and helps Ontarians understand the significance of treaty rights, treaty relationships and their relevance today. By learning more about our collective treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Treaties Recognition Week represents one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The week was launched in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action to increase treaty awareness and provide students and the public with an important opportunity to learn why treaties matter.
Learn more abut the role treaties play in all our lives and relationships with each other. You can also watch videos of Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers highlighting the importance of treaties, treaty relationships and treaty rights in Ontario.
One video features Robert Greene, Knowledge Keeper, Treaty 3 (area spanning from west of Thunder Bay to north of Sioux Lookout, along the US border, to the province of Manitoba.)
Robert Charles Greene was born and raised on the reserve of Iskatewizaagegan No. 39 Independent First Nation (Shoal Lake Band No. 39) and is an Anishinaabe of the Ojibway Nation. He was sent away at 11 years old to attend the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School and graduated with honours from the Beaver Brae Secondary School in Kenora, Ontario.
He is a certified counselor and complex trauma therapist currently working as a Cultural Advisor, providing cultural and spiritual supports to Indigenous men who have mental health challenges. He has also worked as an Elder, Indigenous Spiritual Care Giver, independent consultant, and mental health counselor and therapist.
Watch Robert Greene, Knowledge Keeper talk about how treaties affect all aspects of life.
Also, Lakehead University’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives has a number of online events in recognition of Treaty Week (see calendar below) Visit their website to learn more and to register for events.
