Our commitment and focus on truth and reconciliation is incorporated into learning activities that take place throughout the year and support cross curricular learning in our schools. We continue to provide Professional Development for our educators and work with support from our local First Nation Knowledge Keepers.

Treaties Recognition Week, which took place November 5th to November 9th, presents us with a significant opportunity to promote understanding about Treaties and Treaty relationships throughout schools in Ontario. The week provides a reoccurring opportunity to gain deeper knowledge and understanding of history, culture and contemporary issues.

During this year’s Treaty Education Week, 50 educators within the NNDSB had the opportunity to participate in a professional development opportunity with Kelly Crawford, Education Director for the Anishinabek Education System. This learning supported the History Curriculum, cross curricular connections and the Truth & Reconciliation: Calls to Action. We are grateful for the opportunity to engage in this learning.

In addition, many elementary schools across all regions of the Board had the opportunity to host Treaty Knowledge Keepers, Artist and Elders in Residence in order to foster deeper understanding of Treaty relationships. This included local Knowledge Keeper, Maurice Switzer, who shared our locally developed resource, authored by Mr. Switzer: “Grandpa, what is a treaty anyway? ” The book directly supports the elementary social studies curriculum.