Treaties Recognition Week 2020

November 1-7, 2020

Treaties are legally binding agreements that set out the rights, responsibilities and relationships of First Nations and the federal and provincial governments. They form the basis of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Although many treaties were signed more than a century ago, treaty commitments are just as valid today as they were then. First Nations were the original occupants of this land we call Ontario. The British Crown (government) and First Nations negotiated and signed treaties with the intent of delivering mutual benefits. First Nations signed as independent, self-governing nations. 

 Ontario is covered by 46 treaties and other agreements. Use the interactive treaties map to find out which treaty applies to any location in the province. Native-Land Interactive Map Despite the promise of early treaties and the mutually respectful partnerships they established, Indigenous peoples were targeted by colonial policies designed to exploit, assimilate and eradicate them. Today, the Ontario government is working to rebuild trust and relationships with treaty partners and Indigenous peoples. Part of that effort includes educating Ontarians about the role treaties play in our lives and relationships with each other today.

Here are some links to help in our journey together because... 

"We Are All Treaty People"

Map of Ontario Treaties and Reserves

Video Series: Indigenous Voices on Treaties

Ministry of Indigenous Affairs Treaties Page

Hayden King on Treaties

Hayden King is Anishinaabe from Beausoleil First Nation on Gchi'mnissing, in Huronia Ontario. Hayden has been teaching Indigenous politics and policy since 2007 with academic positions at McMaster, Carleton and Ryerson Universities. His research and commentary on Indigenous nationhood and colonialism in Canada is published widely.

Hayden has also served as the Senior Policy Advisor to the Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, Director of Research at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, and Scholar-in-Residence at the Conference Board of Canada. He is a Senior Fellow at Massey College, adjunct professor at Carleton, and the co-founder of the language-arts collective, the Ogimaa Mikana Project.