Indigenous Education and Treaties Recognition Week
24 Nations Wampum Belt; Two Row Wampum Belt; Dish With One Spoon Belt; 1794 Canandaigua Treaty Belt (George Washington Belt) and the 1764 Niagara Treaty Belt.
November 4 to 8 was Indigenous Education and Treaties Recognition Week at TMU
From November 4 to 8, 2024, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) hosted Indigenous Education and Treaties Recognition Week with a series of events across campus that included educational panels, hands-on workshops and cultural celebrations. Community members participated in programming aimed at deepening understanding of Indigenous experiences, treaty rights and treaty relationships in Canada, all contributing to the broader work toward reconciliation.
Reconciliation in Business Conference
Held on November 3, this one-day conference featured a blend of panels, an Indigenous marketplace, a feast and an Indigenous business case competition. The event highlighted Indigenous perspectives in research and education, inviting participants to engage with Indigenous ways of knowing and inclusion.
Opening of Indigenous Education and Treaties Recognition Week with Dr. Pamela Palmater
On November 4, 2024 at the opening event for Indigenous Education and Treaties Recognition Week, Dr. Pam Palmater shared teachings about how substantive reconciliation with First Nations in Canada requires a reconsideration of historic treaties, one that honours the original spirit and intent. Historic treaties between sovereign First Nations and the Crown have been largely misunderstood as land surrender agreements. Despite what Canadian courts have said about historic treaties, the United Nations has been clear about the implications of trying to enforce negative treaty covenants without informed consent.
Saagajiwe’s Wampum Belt Unveiling
On November 4, Clarence Roy led the unveiling of Saagajiwe’s Wampum Belt, celebrating the artistry and significance of wampum as a symbol of peace and unity.
Indigenous Astronomy by the Haudenosaunee
In collaboration with the Faculty of Science and the Indigenous Students Association, Samantha Doxtator led an immersive session on Haudenosaunee Cosmology, guiding participants through Haudenosaunee perspectives on the stars and cycles of life. Using a portable planetarium, Samantha shared how Haudenosaunee people have long been astronomers, with constellations and moon cycles deeply informing their ways of being and connection to the natural world. Her teachings highlighted the resilience of Indigenous knowledge and the ongoing relevance of Haudenosaunee scientific practices, reminding attendees of the significant contributions Indigenous perspectives bring to modern astronomy.
Artist Talk and Mural Presentation with Philip Cote
On November 5, Philip Cote shared insights into his artwork and mural, which explores Indigenous identity and storytelling through visual expression.
Inuit Treaties by Muckpaloo Ipeelie
On November 7, Muckpaloo Ipeelie provided an in-depth look at Inuit treaties, emphasizing their ongoing impact and significance.
Round Dance – Honouring Our Veterans
Concluding the week on November 7, the Round Dance event honored Indigenous veterans, inviting the community to come together in respect and celebration.
Past events
From November 7 to 9, 2023, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) community participated in events to honour Treaties Recognition Week. Events included talks, a read-in for educators, film screenings and the unveiling of Justine Wood’s beaded Saagajiwe Totem.
November 7 | International Inuit Day
International Inuit Day (November 7) opened with a performance by Monica Ittusardjuat. Monica Ittusardjuat is an Inuktitut language expert and Inuktitut editor at Inhabit Education, a Nunavut-based educational resource development company. (Photo: Carrie Davis)
Katherine Minich, PhD student in Policy Studies at TMU, led an engaging talk on Inuit treaties and their importance. She presented online from Ottawa, where she is a lecturer at Carleton University with a focus on the practices of Indigenous self-determination in the community, particularly Inuit self-determination practices in Nunavut. (Photo: Carrie Davis)
November 8 | Talking Treaties: A Read-In for Educators
Led by TMU’s Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT), TMU educators and staff gathered for a community read-in to learn about the treaties covering TMU's territory. Participants collectively read excerpts from several treaties to understand them better. At the event's start, participants were invited to draw a representation of home and place it on the map, showcasing our relationship to the land and obligations to treaties.
November 9 | A Celebration of Indigenous Remembrance and Treaties
Following the film screening of Forgotten Warriors, Justine Woods unveiled her beaded Saagajiwe Totem. (Photo: Carrie Davis)
Community members, including (from left to right) T’hohahoken Michael Doxtater, Gabby McMann, Derek Sands, Joginder Singh, Justine Woods, Carrie Davis, Brian Norton andAmy Desjarlais, gathered in front of the Saagajiwe Totem and Saagajiwe mural. (Photo: Carrie Davis)
November 9 | Film screening of Trick or Treaty? with Alanis Obomsawin
Lead organizer for Treaties Recognition Week events, Cher Trudeau, administrative coordinator, Indigenous Education Council and Indigenous Initiatives, greeted the audience at the film screening. (Photo: Carrie Davis)
Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, provost and vice-president, Academic, provided opening remarks to welcome the audience. (Photo: Carrie Davis)
Community members were invited to explore the treaty map and place a pin where they live, work, study or play. (Photo: Carrie Davis)
Following the film screening of Trick or Treaty?, director Alanis Obomsawin participated in an interactive Q&A session led by Karina Brant, a student in the School of Social Work and member of the Indigenous Education Council. (Photo: Carrie Davis)
Participants were invited to engage with five wampum belts
During this week's events, participants were invited to engage with five wampum belts cared for by the Archives and Special Collections at TMU Libraries.
Kimberly Boissiere and Jeremie Caribou said, "Wampums are visual memory keepers, recording history and communicating ideas. Beaded patterns represent a person, nation, event, invitation, shared values, and understandings/agreements between two or more parties. Traditional wampum belts were used as covenants and petitions for understanding."
For more information about the wampum belts, please contact the Archives and Special Collections at asc@torontomu.ca.
24 Nations Wampum Belt
Two Row Wampum Belt
Dish With One Spoon Belt
1794 Canandaigua Treaty Belt (George Washington Belt)
1764 Niagara Treaty Belt
Acknowledgements
Treaties Recognition Week committee
This year’s event is organized by a collective of Indigenous and non-Indigenous colleagues, led by Cher Trudeau, administrative coordinator, Indigenous Education Council and Indigenous Initiatives.
The committee includes staff from Gdoo-maawnjidimi Mompii Indigenous Student Services and Indigenous Initiatives in the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion; Indigenous Education Council in the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic; the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching; the Ceremonials Office; the Indigenous Law School Students Association (ILSSA); Saagajiwe in The Creative School; TMU Libraries, Archives and Special Collections; Toronto Metropolitan Association of Part-Time Students (TMAPS); Toronto Met Students Union (TMSU); and Treaty Relations in Business Education (TRIBE).
From September 17 to 22, 2023, the TMU community participated in over 20 events, including a ribbon-skirt-making workshop, a drumming social, a two-spirit identity presentation, several beading and earring-making workshops, a Pow Wow fitness session, a tea with Elders, film screenings, an Inuit culture presentation, a tour of the Indigenous medicine garden and so much more.
The week started with the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) Reconciliation in Business Conference on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, organized by the Treaty Relations in Business Education (TRIBE) student group. The one-day conference, with the theme of “Indigenous worldviews from the classroom to the boardroom,” was designed to foster understanding and inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and encourage the adoption of Indigenous ways of knowing in education and places of business. Photo: Kate Dalton.
Throughout the week, SciXchange opened their Hide Tanning exhibit so community members could experience the art and science of hide tanning. The gallery included photos from the 2019 Hide Tanning Camp held on the TMU campus and several finished hides using various techniques for attendees to touch and see. Photo: Emily Agard.
Acknowledgements
This year’s Indigenous Education Week was led by Indigenous undergraduate students Mercedes Massingale (School of Social Work, Faculty of Community Services), Emma Yerxa (Criminology, Faculty of Arts) and Gabrielle McMann (School of Journalism, The Creative School) with support from Crystal Osawamick, manager of Indigenous events and special projects.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please email Crystal Osawamick, Manager, Indigenous Events and Special Projects, at indigevents@torontomu.ca and Cher Trudeau, administrative coordinator, Indigenous Education Council and Indigenous Initiatives, at cktrudeau@torontomu.ca.