Treaties Recognition Week Resources

What is Treaties Recognition Week?

The purpose of Treaties Recognition Week is to recognize the importance of treaties and expand awareness of the existence of treaties and the significance of the relationships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous communities within Ontario.

What is a Treaty?

Treaties are nation-to-nation agreements between Indigenous peoples and the government of Canada (also known as the Crown). These legal documents are living documents that benefit all people living within the territory treaty.

University of Toronto Scarborough is recognizing Treaties Recognition week and encourages independent learning to increase understanding of the spirit and intent of treaty relationships for building new and respectful relationships.  

Independent Learning Resources:

Government of Ontario (2024). Ontario Observes Treaties Recognition Week 2024

https://www.ontario.ca/page/treaties-recognition-week

Alan Ojig Corbiere: The Underlying Importance of Wampum Belts by Chippewas of Rama First Nation: Alan Ojiig Corbiere discusses Wampum Belts and their direct relevance to the relationships between Indigenous peoples and Canada. Wampum Belts are living symbols of our treaty agreements and the honour of keeping them, among other things.  

Senator Murray Sinclair on the Royal Proclamation of 1763: On the 250th Anniversary of the Royal Proclamation of 1763, Chief Justice Murray Sinclair, senator and former chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, discusses the Proclamation and its implications for the nation-to-nation relationships between the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (North America) and, in this context, Canada. 

Treaty Relations and Two Row Companion – Conversations in Cultural Fluency #5: This video was created to accompany a series of lectures produced by Deyohaha:ge and Six Nations Polytechnic, with Thru the Red Door. 

WAMPUM TALK: We Are All Treaty People – National Centre for Truth and ReconciliationTeyotsihstokwáthe Dakota Brant shares her knowledge of wampum belts.  

UTSC Library Resource Recommendations:

10 Books to Read for Treaties Recognition Week

Read Indigenous: Resources & Reading List  | University of Toronto Scarborough Campus