UTSC Indigenous Newsletter

Indigenous Newsletter UTSC 2024

Dear UTSC Community,

For many UTSC students, staff, and Faculty, the history of Indigenous Peoples and Canada was, until recently, unknown. Join our Indigenous Initiatives Team and University partners as we engage our community with exciting Indigenous events, teachings with elders, and Indigenous Community gatherings. Sign up below for our events!

November 2024

As we dive into November, we invite you to join us for a month filled with opportunities to learn, engage, and connect. Let us unite in our shared passion for growth and learning through a variety of ways within the community, as well as engage in independent learning activities. November marks important dates with Treaties Recognition Week, Indigenous Veterans Day, and Inuit Day. The significant days are markers for expanding our knowledge, participating in community events, and for strengthening community bonds, including right here at UTSC. Check out the events and resources outlined and discover ways to get involved.

Treaties Recognition Week November 4-11, 2024

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 (2023). Ontario Observes Treaties Recognition Week 2023 https://news.ontario.ca/en/statement/1003744/ontario-observes-treaties-recognition-week-2023 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

Zumba Indigenous Moves

Join us for these aerobic and fitness sessions incorporating interval training the indigenous way. These sessions will be hosted by Alyssa McLeod, Indigenous Zumba instructor at the Pan Am Centre at UTSC. Come out and do some moves with us and have some fun and learn some new moves!

November 5, 26, 10 – 4:30-5:30 PM

Nov 21 – 4-5 PM