Treaty knowledge passed down the generations

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This article was published 27/9/2011 (3037 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Students across the province will get a chance to study the treaties between aboriginal people and the federal government this year.

Officials released details Tuesday morning about the learning materials, which will be available to all grades 5 and 6 teachers.

At the announcement, the nine-year-old great-great-great-granddaughter of Chief Yellowquill — the first signatory in 1871 to Treaty One — presented a copy of the document to a group of schoolchildren.

"From my family to your generation," Nicahne Daniels said as she presented the document to three students from William Whyte School.

The treaty material was taught in 11 schools on a pilot basis last year.

Resource material for kindergarten to Grade 4 and grades 7-12 will be completed over the next two years.

Grades 5 and 6 teachers will be able to teach the material this year after they participate in a two-day in-service session set for Winnipeg and The Pas in October.

Jamie Wilson, the treaty relations commissioner of Manitoba, said he expects as more resource material is developed, treaty classes will become mandatory in Manitoba schools.

Lisa Richardson, a teacher at William Whyte and one of those who taught treaty issues last year, said she found the material refreshing. It can either be used as a single unit or be integrated into several subjects during the year, Richardson said.

Parents were generally enthusiastic in their support of the treaty material, Richardson said.

Wilson said the treaties are often viewed as historical documents benefiting aboriginal people, but the course material will show how they were instrumental in the formation of Canada and how non-aboriginal people also benefit from them today.

— staff