ANISHINABEK NATION HEAD OFFICE (November 5, 2018)— Anishinabek Nation leaders and educators highlighted treaty education resources at a living library event held at the Harris Learning Library at the Nipissing University and Canadore College campus today to kick off Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario.

“Our treaty education resources for elementary and high school classrooms help students learn about the treaty relationship,” said Grand Council Chief Glen Hare. “Younger students will learn about what an agreement is and older students will learn that treaties are legally-binding and sacred agreements that set out the rights, responsibilities and relationships of First Nations and federal and provincial governments.”

Treaties Recognition Week is celebrated during the first week of November every year. It was introduced in 2016 to honour the importance of treaties and to help Ontarians learn more about treaty rights and treaty relationships.

Joining Grand Council Chief Hare was Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod who spoke about harvesting its relationship to treaty.

Maurice Switzer of Alderville First Nation and author of books We are all Treaty People and Nation to Nation, spoke about the Treaty of Niagara and the recent Williams Treaty settlement.

Kelly Crawford of M’Chigeeng First Nation, and author of the elementary and secondary teachers guide as well as Alex Shares his Wampum Belt and Dakota Talks about Treaties spoke about the importance of treaty education in the classrooms.

Treaty education resources are available in English and French and books are available in English, French and Anishinaabemowin. Resources can be ordered through the Anishinabek Nation Head Office by emailing: orders@anishinabek.ca.

The Anishinabek Nation is the political advocate for 40 member communities across Ontario, representing approximately 60,000 people. The Anishinabek Nation is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

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For more information contact:

Laura Barrios, Communications Officer

Phone: 705-497-9127 ext. 2339

E-mail : laura.barrios@anishinabek.ca