In addition to our
Remembrance Day observances on November 10th, Westminster is proud to host a First Nation
People's Elder as part of Treaties Recognition week. We
have invited Mr. Dan Shaule, a Garden River Ojibway Nation Elder, to share
about his rich culture, traditions and provide insight into the various
Treaties between the government and First Nation People's in Canada.
In First Nations, Metis,
and Inuit cultures, Elders and traditional teachers play a prominent, vital and
respected role. Elders and traditional teachers are held in high
regard as they are the knowledge keepers. They are leaders, teachers, role
models, and mentors in their respective communities who sometimes provide the
same functions as advisors, professors, and doctors.
In 2016, the Government
of Ontario designated the first week of November as Treaties Recognition Week,
to recognize the importance of treaties and increase awareness of treaty
relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in the
province.
First Nations were the
original occupants of this land we call Ontario. Our shared history begins
around 400 years ago, when Europeans first arrived.
Treaties between the
British Crown (government) and Indigenous peoples were negotiated and signed
with the intent of delivering mutual benefits. They signed as independent,
self-governing nations. Despite the promise of early treaties and the
respectful partnerships they established, Indigenous Peoples were targeted by
colonial policies designed to exploit, assimilate and eradicate them. Today,
the Ontario government recognizes the wrongs of previous generations. The
Journey Together plan outlines Ontario’s commitment to changing the future by
rebuilding relationships based on trust and respect.
Offering of Tobacco presented to Elder Shaule by our student representative...
"We have learned about First Nation People's culture and history here at school and now from you, an Ojibwa Elder. We have learned that tobacco is one of the four sacred medicines used in traditional ceremonies and prayer. We offer you this tobacco because we have asked that you be here today and thank you for teaching us. At Westminster we believe that understanding the past and celebrating our differences is the first step to ensuring a positive future." WPS student representative
Comments
Post a Comment