In 2016, the Ontario government established Treaties Recognition Week, as way to highlight the importance of honouring treaties involving relationship with First Nations peoples and lands.
From Nov. 5-11, U of G will recognize this week with the following activities:
Wander and Wonder on Mtigwaaki Trail
Date: Nov. 6, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Arboretum Kiosk
Join the ISC as we walk along the Mtigwaaki Trail which was developed in collaboration with Anishinaabe Elders and Knowledge Holders as well as Anishinaabe environmental scientists.
This event is open to all faculty, staff and students. Learn more here.
Moccasin Identifier Project
Date: Nov. 8, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Alumni Walk
Treaties are commitments recognized by the highest law in Canada, the Canadian Constitution Act. We all need to work together through Treaty commitments to achieve harmony between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous People. This is what the Moccasin Identifier Project aims to do.
It is important to recognize that all of Canada resides on traditional, unceded and/or treaty lands of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Take some time to travel along Alumni Walk, alongside painted moccasins, and reflect on your connections to the traditional and treaty lands that the University of Guelph resides on.
This event is open to all faculty, staff and students. Learn more here.
Being Kin with the Land
Date: Nov. 9 1:00 p.m. – 2:30p.m.
Location: Indigenous Student Centre
Nii’kinaaganaa…we are related. We will remember what it means to be kin with nii’kinaaganaa through teachings, story and song with Anishnaabe Mixed Ancestry Knowledge Keeper, Jan Sherman.
Jan is an Anishaabe and Mixed Ancestry mother, culture keeper, storyteller, drummer, and spiritual guide. She has spent the last 25 years of her life helping people remember ancestral earth teachings in relation to our spiritual, emotional, mental and physical journey on Mother Earth. Jan has gathered knowledge and wisdom from Grandmothers and Aunties from around the world which she shares to support individual inner peace that she believes will become community and global peace.
This event is open to all faculty, staff and students. Learn more here.
Acknowledging Indigenous Lands
Date: Nov. 9, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Join Cara Wehkamp, Assistant Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives), U of G, for an informative training session where she will support attendees with:
- Gaining an understanding of the intention and meaning behind why land acknowledgments are shared;
- Exploring how to identify the lands and territories on which they reside, work and study; and
- Reflecting on their relationship to land, positionality and role in reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and lands.
This program is open to U of G employees and registration is required. Learn more here.