See “What is a Treaty?” on pages 4 and 5 in the We Are All Treaty People issue of Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids.
For First Nations people, land is a gift from the Creator. They did not own the land. The Creator gave them teachings on how to respect it and look after it. This would ensure that all Creation would benefit from it. Europeans did not understand this way of thinking. For them, land was not to be shared – it was to be divided up and each part owned by different people.
Design a classroom Treaty. Make sure that students have full involvement and investment in its creation. Use it throughout the year as the typical “class rules.” Refer to it often as a guide.
Purposely break one of the “rules” to be upheld. Have the students explore the idea of interpretation and broken promises. Instruct them to write a personal reflection on how they felt when the classroom Treaty was not honoured. Use the experience as an activator for exploring Treaties, worldview, and broken promises.
More classroom activities
Explore several places and occasions that mark the importance of Treaties and stories about the historic Treaty relationship between First Nations people and the Crown.
Students will explore historical significance as the process used by historians to evaluate what was important about particular events, people, and developments in the past.
Focus on the importance of wampum belts for ceremonial and diplomatic purposes, as well as to mark agreements such as Treaties and covenants.
Explain and expand upon the concept of unceded land.
Explore the meaning and the significance of the phrase “We are all Treaty People.”
Explore the symbolism in the Treaty medal.
Have students create an invitation to an event celebrating Treaty Day.
Taking a historical perspective means understanding the social, cultural, intellectual, and emotional settings that shaped people’s lives and actions in the past.