Free education kit helps Ontario students learn about Indigenous treaties

A tool kit developed by Carolyn King, former elected chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, is being launched online to help educators teach and learn about Indigenous treaties, territories and history alongside their students. 

Part of the Moccasin Identifier Project, the education kit outlines lesson plans for students from Grades 1 to 8 and includes learning goals and activities that take place over several days. 

Hundreds of schools in the Greater Toronto Area tested out a pilot version, according to the project. The curriculum was refined and released during Ontario's Treaty Recognition Week, which falls during the first week of November to honour the importance of treaties and raise awareness about treaty rights and relationships, it added in a media release.

"We need to create better understanding of treaties and territories or the knowledge will be lost forever," said King.

The toolkit is free and accessible at the Moccasin Identifier website. The project says its plans were designed in accordance with Ontario curriculum. 

In Grade 1, teachings focus on good friendships and promises, and how communication is needed to mend a broken promise and regain trust. The lessons connect the dots to treaty relationships. 

In Grade 8, students learn about short and long-term Indian Act impacts, dehumanizing legislation, and the role the act plays in colonization. Students will also explore reconciliation.  

The kit also recommends that teachers speak directly with any Indigenous students and their families to inform them about upcoming subject matter, like residential schools, the Indian Act, and colonial structures. Accommodations, the kit says, may need to be made to avoid placing students in uncomfortable or traumatizing situations.

'Treaty teachings are important for all ages'

The project also sells stencil kits that include drawings of historical moccasins used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Cree.

The Moccasin Identifier Project was created in 2011, and takes part in school and university visits, public events and workshops. It started with the intent of marking significant sites with its chosen symbol of the moccasin to advance treaty and Indigenous awareness.

 "We use the moccasin as the symbol that identifies us and connects us to the land," said King. 

Moccasin Identifier artwork is featured at Hamilton Health Sciences hospitals as part of its Indigenous Signs of Welcome initiative, which are permanent poster installations. 

Large installations have also been at Ontario Place's Trillium Park, Oakville's 16-Mile Creek Park and on the Centennial College campus in Scarborough. 

"These large-scale versions are dramatic and help remind the general public of Indigenous presence on these lands," King said in the media release. "Treaty teachings are important for all ages."