What is the purpose of teaching Treaty Ed (specifically) or First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (FNMI) Content and Perspectives (generally) where there are few or no First Nations, Metis, Inuit peoples?

As a future teacher, it is so important to talk about Treaty Education in our classrooms regardless of who makes up the classroom. Teachers have the ability to inspire change and discuss with students some of the issues that our society faces. If we are not actively trying to change the way our student’s view the world in a more critical way, then we are not doing our job. In Claire’s presentation, she discusses that teacher’s impress upon students who matters and who is important within our society. Claire gives an example of adults reading a magazine and skipping over an article about the crisis of clean drinking water for Indigenous peoples (CLEAN DRINKING WATER IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT). If at an early age the teachers do not discuss the importance of these issues, they will potentially grow up to be uncaring, disrespectful, and selfish individuals. Hopefully by talking about these important issues, students will be inspired to want to fight for equality within their communities. Teaching Treaty Education is about honouring the land that we share, honouring the history of Canada, and creating more respectful students.

What does it mean for your understanding of curriculum that “We are all treaty people”?

As Cynthia Chambers’ puts it, she does not want to take for granted her treaty rights and responsibilities. She wants to be able to live cohesively with all. (Chambers, 35). That must be the goal for us all. We are all treaty people in the sense that the agreements laid out in those treaties will continue “as long as the grass grows and the rivers flow.” Being a treaty person means that we need to be respectful to one another, honour the land that we share, and to fix broken relationships. We all have a responsibility to strive for equality and equity in our country.