First Nation, Métis and Inuit presence both in the past and the present and can involve naming the First Nation of the particular area and the treaties that cover the area. One way ETFO has been honouring
the Truth and Reconciliation Commis- sion’s Calls to Action is by acknowledging the traditional territories and lands in a statement read at the commencement of all ETFO-sponsored events: The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario acknowl- edges and thanks the First Peoples of this territory and other Indigenous peoples for sharing this land in order for us to continue our work today. Many Ontario schools are acknowledg- ing the land and the territory they reside on every day during morning announcements. To find out whose traditional land you
are on contact the local Indigenous com- munity in your area and look at the Ontar- io Federation of Labour’s Aboriginal Circle: Traditional Territory Acknowledgements in Ontario.
Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario (First Week of November)
The first week of November is Treaties Rec- ognition Week. Last year, Ontario passed new legislation to recognize the importance of treaties and to bring awareness to the treaty relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the province. Ac- cording to a November 2016 press release, “The Ontario government recognizes the wrongs of previous generations and is com- mitted to changing the future by rebuilding relationships based on trust and respect.” The goal of Treaties Recognition Week is to have all teachers educate students about the treaty relationships in Ontario.
What are Treaties?
Treaties are legally binding agreements that set out the rights, responsibilities and rela- tionships of Indigenous peoples and the fed- eral and provincial governments. Ontario is covered by 46 treaty and other agreements, such as land purchases by the Crown signed between 1781 and 1930.
Pre-Contact First Nations Treaties (Pre-1400s)
Indigenous peoples living on Turtle Island were well adjusted to their environment, and had the survival skills necessary to live on their land. They had spiritual, political, traditional and social systems that helped them live in balance and harmony with the natural environment.
“ MANY ISSUES ARE BEING ADDRESSED THROUGH ONGOING DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA. IT IS THE HOPE OF BOTH PARTIES THAT THESE ISSUES BE RESOLVED SO THE TREATIES CAN BE HONOURED THE WAY THEY WERE INTENDED, IN PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP.”
Indigenous peoples have a long history
of making treaties with other Indigenous peoples to form alliances and share resourc- es (hunting, gathering) within each other’s territories.
Spiritual ceremonies were a
key part of this treaty-making process be- cause it was a way to bind the agreement. The agreements were made in the best in- terest of all parties involved. An example of this nation-to-nation treaty making is the ‘Dish with One Spoon’ Wampum between the Anishinabek Nation and the Haude- nosaunee Confederacy, in what is now Ontario. Even though this Wampum was made pre-contact, it is still honoured today.
Pre-Confederation Treaties (Pre-1867)
Our shared history begins around 400 years ago when European settlers first arrived. They developed methods for establishing relation- ships with Indigenous peoples. Promising peace and friendship, the settlers made trea- ties with Indigenous peoples for the purpose of agriculture, trading and the taking of lands. Although these treaties were held out to be respectful nation-to-nation partnerships, In- digenous peoples became the target of colo- nial policies designed to assimilate or get rid of them. The treaties were not equitable be- cause the settlers forced Indigenous peoples to give up their lands in return for minimal compensation. One of the earliest treaties in Ontario is the ‘Two-Row’ Wampum. This agreement was between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Dutch. Its intent was that settlers and Indigenous peoples would not interfere with one another and instead live in peace, friendship and respect. At the time this agreement was made, French, British and American colonies were fighting, some- times with the help of Indigenous peoples with whom they formed alliances.
Ontario’s pre-Confederation treaties are
the Treaty of Niagara 1764/81, the Crawford Purchases 1783-84, and the Robinson-Supe- rior and Robinson-Huron Treaties 1850.
Post-Confederation Treaties and Numbered Treaties 1 to 11 (Post-1867)
Many of the treaties between Indigenous peoples and the Government of Canada (Crown) are known as the Numbered Trea- ties. Indigenous peoples believed these trea- ties would ensure their survival (they were being assimilated and food was becoming scarce) since the Government of Canada made promises to allow them to continue to hunt, fish and govern themselves. Indig- enous peoples also received education and health benefits and an exemption from taxa- tion. Indigenous peoples’ understanding of the numbered treaties is not that they were separate treaties but rather one treaty with numbers attached to show the territory cov- ered by the treaty. The post-Confederation treaties are
Number 3, 5 and 9, and the Williams Treaty 1923.
Modern Treaties
Comprehensive land claim settlements deal with areas of Canada where Indigenous peoples’ claims to Indigenous rights have not been addressed by treaties or other legal agreements. The first of these modern-day treaties was the James Bay and Northern
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