Treaties Recognition Week

In 2016, Ontario passed the first legislation of its kind in Canada declaring the first full week of November as Treaties Recognition Week.

This year, Treaties Recognition Week is November 5-11, 2023.

This annual event honours the importance of treaties and helps students and residents of Ontario learn more about treaty rights and relationships. By learning more about our collective treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Treaties Recognition Week represents one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The week was launched in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (PDF)  to increase treaty awareness and provide students and the public with an important opportunity to learn why treaties matter.

Treaty teaching and learning resources

Listen to what students say they learn from Treaties Recognition Week.

Videos: Indigenous voices on treaties

Watch videos of Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers highlighting the importance of treaties, treaty relationships and treaty rights in Ontario. Use the videos to promote learning about treaties in your organization or classroom.

Maurice Switzer on reconciliation and treaty recognition

Maurice Switzer delivers presentations on treaty recognition as a key element of the reconciliation process and talks about issues related to the Williams Treaty.

 


Find a Treaties Recognition Week event offered by partners from the list below. Events are offered in English only. 

To have an event featured here and on our social media channels, please submit a request online.

For an event or activity to be listed, it must:

  • support treaties education and awareness
  • be open to the public (either in-person or virtually)

Please note: The topics and content presented during the external partner events below do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the ministry of Indigenous Affairs or the Government of Ontario. 

2023 Treaties Recognition Week events in Ontario

Date

Time (EST)

Event description

Event type

Location

Host organization

2023-11-05

1:00 - p.m.

Valour and Victory
Attend the annual memorial and reconciliation service to remember Indigenous soldiers who courageously helped secure victory at pivotal events throughout the War of 1812 to secure freedom for all Canadians. The event will also touch on the Covenant Chain and treaty making between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

In-person

14184 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0

Niagara Parks

2023-11-06

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Cross-Cultural Stories on Treaties and Futurities
Dr. Juan Sánchez Martínez and Dr. Jula Hughes

In-person and virtual

Agora

Lakehead University

2023-11-06

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Learning for Life - What is a Treaty
Learn about treaties, what they mean, and who they impact in this activity that uses resources created by the Anishinabek Nation.

In-person and virtual

Corunna Library

417 Lyndoch Street, Corunna, ON, N0N 1G0

Lambton County Library

2023-11-06

11:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Drop in at Bagwaatiing Indigenous Student Centre

Join Indigenous Education and Cultural Services as we host treaty awareness events during Treaties Recognition Week.
These events aim to provide insights into the significance of treaty rights across Turtle Island. This annual week serves as a platform for acknowledging the spirit and intent of treaties, fostering understanding among students, and educating the Ontario Tech campus community about treaty rights and relationships.

In-person

151 Athol Street, Bagwaating Indigenous Student Centre

Ontario Tech University

2023-11-07

2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Algonquin College Film Series:
People of the Seal, Part 1

In-person

Mamidosewin Centre

Algonquin College

2023-11-07

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Learning for Life - What is a Treaty
Learn about treaties, what they mean, and who they impact in this activity that uses resources created by the Anishinabek Nation.

In-person and virtual

Forest Library
61 King Street West, Forest, ON, N0P 1J0

Lambton County Library

2023-11-07

5:30 – 7:00 p.m

Treaties Recognition Week/International Inuit Day
This event features teachings from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, as well as insights from guest speakers on the significance of Treaty rights, wampum belts and the spiritual significance of Treaty relationship. Speakers will also address International Inuit Day, which falls on November 7, and is an opportunity to celebrate the richness and resilience of diverse Inuit cultures.

Virtual

Online

Law Society of Ontario

2023-11-07 to 2023-11-09

9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Treaty Week 2023
Renewing Our Treaty Relationships

In-Person and virtual

University of Sudbury Canisius Hall, Laurentian

Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin

2023-11-0810:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Archives of Ontario displays the James Bay Treaty

Visit the Archives of Ontario on Wednesday, November 8th from 10 am-4 pm for a rare opportunity to see the original written document of Treaty No. 9 — the James Bay Treaty from 1905-1906 that covers roughly two-thirds of Ontario.

In-person134 Ian Macdonald Boulevard
Toronto, ON M7A 2C5
Archives of Ontario

2023-11-08

11:30 a.m. -
1 p.m.

Nourish and learn with guest speaker Kelly Crawford
Kelly Crawford works at the University of Toronto and is from M'Chigeeng First Nation. Kelly developed the treaty education resources for Anishinaabek Nation. Kelly will provide an understanding of how these valuable resources can effectively enhance your educational experience on your journey to understanding Treaty relationships across Turtle Island.

In-person and virtual

Shawenjigewining Hall, Room 024

Ontario Tech University

2023-11-08

6:00 – 6:45 p.m.

Learning for Life - What is a Treaty
Learn about treaties, what they mean, and who they impact in this activity that uses resources created by the Anishinabek Nation.

In-person and virtual

124 Christina Street South, Sarnia, ON, N7T 8E1

Lambton County Library

2023-11-08

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Algonquin College Film Series: Forgotten Warriors

In-person

Mamidosewin Centre

Algonquin College

2023-11-09

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Algonquin College Film Series: The Inconvenient Indian

In-person

Mamidosewin Centre

Algonquin College

2023-11-08 TO 2023-08-12

N/A

Changing the Narrative at Black Creek Pioneer Village 
 To help educate visitors about Treaties Recognition Week, BCPV will be featuring a mini-display/interactive with writing prompt in its gallery.

In-person

1000 Murray Ross Parkway
Toronto, Ontario M3J 2P3

Black Creek Pioneer Village

2023-11-085:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Treaty Talks with Elder Sam Achneepineskum

The Matawa Health Co-operative is hosting this Treaty Talk as part of Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario which takes place from Nov 5 - 11, 2023. Everyone is welcome.

In-person233 Court St. S. 
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Matawa Health Co-operative

2023-11-09

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Learning for Life - What is a Treaty
Learn about treaties, what they mean, and who they impact in this activity that uses resources created by the Anishinabek Nation.

In-person and virtual

Bright Grove’s library
2618 Hamilton Road PO Box 339, Bright Grove, ON N0N 1C0

Lambton County Library

2023-11-09

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Film screening of The Grandfather of All Treaties

In-person and virtual

North Oshawa Library, Fireside Reading Room

Ontario Tech University

2023-11-096:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Myeengun Henry: Spirit of the Treaties

In this presentation, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Myeengun Henry guides attendees on an interactive journey back in time. He discusses how treaties and agreements were spiritually significant, emphasizing the intent and meaning Indigenous folks carried into these agreements.

In person and virtual

East Campus 5 - University of Waterloo - 1111

305 Phillip Street Waterloo, ON N2L 5Z5 CA

University of Waterloo
2023-11-0912:00 - 12:30 p.m.

George Brown College presents: A Discussion with Frances Sanderson

Join GBC Indigenous Initiatives in welcoming GBC Indigenous Education Council Chair, Frances Sanderson as we discuss the importance of treaty relationships, territorial acknowledgments, and how these treaties have shaped our past, present and future.

VirtualZoomGeorge Brown College
2023-11-1011:00 - 11:30 a.m. 

George Brown college presents, A Reflection on Treaty Education Week with Indigenous Initiatives

Join Indigenous Initiatives on Friday Nov. 10th for its final installment of Treaty Education Week activities as we reflect towards the education that was gained, and the actions that can be completed to move forward into a better tomorrow. 

VirtualZoomGeorge Brown College