Talking treaty in the classroom

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Children in Saskatchewan schools in Grade 7 up to Grade 12 are learning about an important part of their history. The Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) and their partners have developed curriculum, material and resources to study treaties and the treaty relationship.

These units feature the treaty-making process and the events leading up to it, as well as the impact of treaties on the people of Canada.

Judge David Arnot is the Treaty Commissioner. He said the Office of the Treaty Commissioner in Saskatoon is an independent and impartial office that played a vital role in laying a foundation for the Treaty Land Entitlement Agreements forged recently between 28 Saskatchewan First Nations and the provincial and federal governments.

"Public education has become a challenge because few people in this province understand what treaties are all about" said Judge Arnot.

In 1999 an Angus Reid study was done and 78 per cent of non-Aboriginal people said they knew nothing about the treaties. Many also said that if they knew more about the treaties, the relationship between non-First Nation people and the First Nations would improve, he said.

The Canadian treaties weren't being taught in the school, although the various agreements that ended wars in Europe and other worldwide events were part of the curriculum. The central historical features that actually created this country were largely not studied in the classroom.

Arnot explained that the treaties were negotiated for mutual benefit based upon mutual respect.

"Originally First Nations wanted to learn the ways of newcomers and the government of Canada wanted access to the land for settlement. This harmony that was envisioned hasn't happened," he said.

With projected demographics showing that by 2045, more than 30 per cent of Saskatchewan residents will be Aboriginal, the need to educate the public is obvious and it was determined that beginning in the schools was a logical step.

A number of partners put the project together, including First Nations, Elders, the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN).

Susan Beaudin is an educational specialist for the OTC.

"It was exciting to develop this material, which doesn't represent additional work for teachers because the information is an integral part of the existing curriculum. In-services are delivered to the teachers who will be using it," she said.

"Over the next few years we need to visit over 800 schools. The treaty resource kit contains several books that were used in developing the curriculum, as well as three videos and, of course, the teachers' guide for curriculum delivery," she said. The federal and provincial governments and the FSIN funded the development and disbursement of the materials for every school.

"We've already in-serviced over 150 teachers in 60 schools and the teachers love it. They recognize the need to build better relationships but most never fully understood the Indian Act, or the effects of colonization. In the in-service we recognize that we are partners and that we are not the ones who were there at the treaty-making times. Those of us who are here today are not to blame and we can change the way we view each other," she added.

Elders are an important part of the process and are included in the in-services.

"The Elders help us all to see how the people lived at the time of the treaties, and long before. We learn how they viewed their world and their historical beliefs. We also examine the British world view and how these two peoples were feeling when they sat down to sign the treaties," she explained.

There's often a personal and emotional ambience present in the in-services and as a Cree-Saulteaux from Cowessess reserve in Saskatchewan, Beaudin said she's had to work through her own anger and feelings of negativity.

"Now I'm able to see the bigger picture. Teachers and students alike have to put their peronal issues aside and recognize the potential that exists to make things better," said Beaudin.

Michael LeClaire is director of education.

"Many partnerships made this project successful, such as the one with Elders Alma and Simon Kytwayhat and Danny Musqua who travel with us to in-services. We also work with Elders from local communities who can continue to be a resource to teachers in the classroom," he said.

OTC is asking each of the seven educational districts and 10 tribal councils in the province to identify key educational leaders within their communities who will attend a four-day in-service.

"When we put the teams together it becomes a true embodiment of partnership, First Nations and non-First Nations going out and working together," he said.

LeClaire points out that when you look at the treaty medal you can see two people, one is First Nations and one Euro-Canadian. They are holding hands, signifying mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual benefit. As a former principal for many years in Saskatoon, he believes that it takes an entire community today to meet the holistic needs of children and youth.

"The terms of our educational mandate are broad and encompass more than schools. We've developed a speakers' bureau of 30 to 40 people of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage who are conducting a massive public education campaign. They speak to service clubs, corporations, organizations and individuals," he said.

LeClaire looks ahead to the success of Teaching Treaties in the Classroom.

"A whole host of kids will exist who have an informed, deeper understanding and mutual respect for our history and people. These students will become our leaders who will take these valued understandings into their adult lives."