Anishinabek Nation has launched an online resource to teach elementary students about First Nations' history, treaties, and Aboriginal rights.
The series of 80 videos entitled, Ezhi-nawending: How we are Related, are available on the Anishinabek Nation’s website under the education resources tab.
Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe calls the resource “a critical teaching tool” that “builds upon our shared history” to foster greater understanding of “our responsibilities and relationships.”
“We are connected through the treaty relationships,” he explained. “Tools such as this will help everyone learn important information before joining conversations.”
See: Crown’s appeal of 2018 Robinson-Huron Treaty ruling began this week
The resource builds upon We are all Treaty People, an elementary teacher’s kit launched in May 2015, which included an 800-piece Lego replica of the Treaty of Niagara wampum belt.
Recommendation 62 from the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action calls upon provincial governments to develop and implement curriculum on residential schools, treaties, and Indigenous people’s historical contributions to Canada.
Ezhi-nawending is available to all educators and is connected to the Ontario curriculum.
“I have always thought it’s great to get our education resources out to all schools in Ontario and across the Anishinabek Nation,” said Deputy Grand Council Chief James Marsden.
“I hope that students and new learners alike enjoy this new interactive educational resource filled with wonderful teachings from Anishinabek and knowledge keepers from across the Nation,” he added.
Anishinabek Nation funded this project independently, and plan to create more resources “to fulfill its mandate to distribute accurate information about Anishinabek cultures, traditions, and contemporary issues.”
See: Indigenous Leaders: 'The power of learning'
See: Algonquin Treaty questions answered in East Ferris
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
