The Languages and Cultures Department took part in a professional development training session with the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba. The day started with a land acknowledgement from session leader Connie Anderson.
Anderson gave us opening remarks on the spirit in which our Treaties were made: “Treaties were not made in war, they were made in peace and understanding. The Treaty Medal illustrates the elements of the Treaty Agreement, two men standing equal and healthy shaking hands as a symbol of a reciprocal relationship, and the sun and rivers flowing behind them.”
Davin Dumas, the new director of the Languages and Cultures Department at MFNERC, arranged for the PD, stating that the Treaty Relations Commission has put together valuable information for our staff, our communities, and our children. We need to uphold our understanding of the importance of Treaty Relationships with the government, and we need to educate ourselves and our children accordingly.
Treaty Commissioner Loretta Ross spoke on the importance of Treaties, the relationship and meaning under which they were made, and how we continue to navigate within them to this day.
Cynthia Bird shared on the importance of teaching Treaties in our classrooms and of using local stories during this process. Locally based Treaty education brings meaning for learners, connecting them with their Treaty history. The Languages and Cultures Department has always prioritized using local stories, and more are on the way. All our books are available to our affiliated schools and are for sale in our shop (mfnerc.org/the-shop/). The Treaty Relations Commission offers kits about the Treaties that are available for classroom use as well. The kits strive to make Treaty lessons interactive and fun for kids based on their ages. In addition, we each have a responsibility within us and within our families to pass on this vision of Treaty. The real kits are us, made up of the knowledge we carry and have to share.
Jennifer Williams, Assistant Director of Languages and Cultures (Instructional Resource Development), says, “It is a great reminder of our obligation of respecting the mutual relationship of co-existing and living in harmony which was the original intent of Treaties. As Canada grows increasingly more diverse the continued education and awareness of this history to current new comers is equally as important. Thank you to Treaty Commissioner Ross and the staff of TRCM for making the day interactive and sharing their stories in a personable way.”
Dumas adds, “In (the MFNERC) transition process, languages and cultures have been made the focus for the organization. Treaty information and Treaty education is a very important component for ensuring that our languages and cultures are exercised, maintained, and preserved.”
