In honour of Treaties Recognition Week, various events and activities will be held for community members, starting Monday.
Since 2016, the first week of November has been recognized as Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario.
Treaties are legal agreements made between Indigenous people and the British Crown that define rights, responsibilities and relationships between First Nations and the federal and provincial governments.
There are 46 treaties covering Ontario. Timmins is located on Treaty 9, which was first signed in 1905 and 1906 with adhesions made in 1929 and 1930. The city is on the traditional lands of Mattagami First Nation.
Community members are encouraged to learn more about the history of treaties and their significance in Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples' lives.
Locally, several events will be held by Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre, Northern College as well as Mushkegowuk Council’s Youth Department and Omushkego Nation Rebuilding Initiative.
Here's what's happening:
Daily until Nov. 7
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The Timmins Museum is displaying a giant floor map created by the Royal Canadian Geographic Society that shows treaties’ territories, Indigenous language group areas, locations of residential schools, reserves, and more. There is also a residential school timeline. Admission is free and visitors are asked to remove shoes before walking on the map.
Monday, Nov. 2
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Omushkego Treaty Week will kick off with staff introductions at 10 a.m. followed by opening remarks by Mushkegowuk Council's Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon. At 11 a.m. there is guest speaker Michael Etherington, who comes from the James Bay region and is an Indigenous relations consultant and TEDxTalk speaker. At 1:30 p.m. is a Making treaties presentation. Watch all of the events on Facebook.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
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Omushkego Treaty Week featuring guest speaker Isadore Day, a former regional chief of Ontario, on Facebook at 11 a.m. At 1:30 p.m. is presentation about climate change impacting hunting in the North.
Wednesday, Nov. 4
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11 a.m. – Omushkego Treaty Week featuring guest speaker Luke Hunter. Hunter is the director of governance and treaty implementation at Nishnawbe Aski Nation and an expert in Indigenous law, treaties, land rights, and governance systems.
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1:30 p.m. – Moose Cree First Nation member and educator Norm Wesley will talk about the significance of treaties during a live Zoom event, hosted by Northern College.
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1:30 p.m. – Story by Gilbert Scott, As Long as the Sun Shines, The Grass Grows and The Rivers Flow. For more info, visit the Omushkego Treaty Week Facebook page.
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6:30 p.m. – A free virtual dreamcatcher workshop led by Kristin Murray of the Misiway Milopemahtesewin Community Health Centre. Register by calling the museum at 705-360-2617.
Thursday, Nov. 5
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11 a.m. – Omushkego Treaty Week featuring guest speaker Sheila North. North is the former grand chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and a former Chief Communications Officer for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. She is also a journalist and a filmmaker who released a documentary, 1200+, about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
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1:30 p.m. – Whose land is this" on the Omushkego Treaty Week Facebook page.
Friday, Nov. 6
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10:30 a.m. to noon – A free live event will explore the theme of We Are All Treaty People. It will be a one-hour panel discussion followed by a 30-minute Q&A session. Register by calling the museum at 705-360-2617.
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10:30 a.m. – Mushkegowuk Council's Deputy Grand Chief Rebecca Friday will deliver closing remarks on the Omushkego Treaty Week Facebook page.
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1:30 p.m. – Making my bannock led by Claudius Hughie for Omushkego Treaty Week.
