b'ANISHINABEK NATION Anishinabek Nation Announces New Online Resource BY MARCI BECKING, ROBINSON-HURON TREATY TERRITORY A co-learning Treaty education journey for students and teachersT he Anishinabek Nation kicked off the fifth annual Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario with a virtual news conference and sneak peek of the new online treaty education resources that will be released in spring of 2021.Kelly Crawford, citizen of MChigeeng First Nation and Assistant Director of Indigenous Initiatives at the University of TorontoScarborough campus, is the project lead for devel-oping the new resources.Treaty education should be happening all year round, not just during Treaties Recognition Week or National Indigenous Day. The online resource will be a co-learning journey for both teachers and students, says Crawford. I talk with teachers from various school boards, and for years their collective commentsIsaac Murdoch, Knowledge Keeper from Serpent River First Nation, around treaty education is the same: Why wasnt I taught this?shares teachings in the online treaty education resource.What if I dont have the answers? In education, we are tasked with supporting the ongoing growth and development of ourIt will be set up like a game board. And how does the LEGO students. I see a parallel here in regards to the teaching profession.wampum belt fit in? As one completes the various lessons, the We are also tasked with the ongoing growth and development ofLEGO belt will click into place like puzzle pieces. The books ourselves; teaching is not intended to be stagnant. The journey ofare based on their respective stories of building an 800-piece understanding the treaty relationship and ones role within it canLEGO replica Treaty of Niagara wampum belt and the 250th be a collaborative, co-created journey with the teacher and theanniversary of the Royal Proclamation at Niagara Falls.students. It is okay to take that journey together and have clearAnishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare discussions of the realities in which we live. As an educator, youparticipated in the virtual news conference held on November have such great influence for the future leaders of this province.2. He was promoting the current resources that were developed Educators have a role in the story of the treaty relationship long before recommendations from the Ipperwash Inquiry perhaps you are facilitators of a much-needed truthful discussionReport and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report.of connection to land and reconciliation via education.Based on the elementary We are all Treaty People teachersWeve been saying for years that the treaty education, public guide and the Alex Shares his Wampum Belt and Dakota Talkseducation will help eliminate racism, says Grand Council about Treaties books, the online resource will feature videos ofChief Hare. Were supporting teachers and students by making different knowledge keepers. The characters Alex and Dakotaour treaty kits into online resources so that they can still learn are actually Alex Hebert from Dokis First Nation and Dakotaabout First Nations and the treaty relationship while at home or Bellissimo from Nipissing First Nation, leading the studentsin the classroom.and teachers to different worlds to explore along with them.Various virtual events were held by Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and through the Indigenous Affairs Office of Ontario. The First Nation, Mtis, Inuit Education Ontario organization of educators held teacher-training sessions during the week prior to Treaties Recognition Week.Some northern Ontario radio stationsMoose FM North Bay, Moose FM Sturgeon Falls, Moose FM Algoma/Manitoulin, Moose FM Espanola and Rewind 103.9 Sudburyare all permanently identifying the Robinson-Huron Treaty Territory in their legal identification on an hourly basis. The hope is that more radio stations will join and identify where they are in Ontario.In addition to the physical copies of the books, e-books are now available to order through www.goodminds.com.The sneak peek video found on the Anishinabek Nation YouTube channel, youtube.com/user/AnishinabekNation.The Anishinabek Nation announces the current development of an online interactive treatyTo order Anishinabek Nation treaty education resources, education resource that will be available in spring 2021. please e-mail orders@anishinabek.ca.18l I ssue2 2020/21C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'