Aurora, ON – Students are learning more about the importance of treaties and treaty relationships from members of First Nations communities as part of Treaties Recognition Week.
Over the past two weeks, community members from First Nation communities have been sharing their knowledge and perspectives at schools across York Region District School Board. Students have been learning about the historical and current context of treaties in Canada.
“I learned that everybody is equal and should all respect each other,” said Aaron, a Grade 3 student at Rick Hansen P.S. in Aurora.
“We have to understand what they did for us to make this future,” said Karen, a Grade 3 student at Rick Hansen P.S.
“Treaties Recognition Week is a continuation of all the things that we are doing, trying to bring authentic voices into classrooms, supporting teachers and developing lesson plans and curriculum that support students coming to a better understanding,” said Andrew McConnell, First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Curriculum Coordinator at York Region District School Board. “It really is about relationships, the whole concept of what Canada started out as and what Canada is trying to be.”
The Board is also providing resources to staff members to support staff members in acknowledging the two treaty areas in which York Region District School Board resides. Enhancing student learning about treaties is part of the Board’s commitment to increasing accurate understandings of First Nation, Métis and Inuit histories, cultures and perspectives.
For more information on what York Region District School Board is doing to acknowledge Treaties Recognition Week, please check out this video.
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 127,000 students in 180 elementary schools and 33 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about the York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow YRDSB on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
For more information contact:
Jamie Bennett
Corporate Communications
York Region District School Board
Tel: 905-727-0022 X 2272