This year Treaties Recognition Week is recognized from Sunday, November 3 to Saturday, November 9. It is a good time for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to reflect on treaty rights and relationships. We are all treaty people and living on lands in a treaty area. This land bonds us as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the river flows. Waterloo Region is situated on the lands within the area of the Haldimand Treaty of 1784. The Haldimand Treaty is a formally ratified agreement that acknowledges six miles on either side of the Grand River as treaty territory belonging to the Six Nations of the Grand River. Today, the Six Nations of the Grand River hold only a fraction of the land promised to them.
In 2016, Canada endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). UNDRIP is a roadmap to uphold the human rights of Indigenous peoples around the world and create an equitable path forward. As stated in the declaration, treaties need to be recognized, observed and enforced.
Kitchener Public Library Resources
Upcoming Programs
Indigenous Sharing Circle with Kelly Welch
Monday, November 11 at 7 p.m. at Forest Heights Library
Indigenous Sharing Circle with Kelly Welch
Tuesday, November 19 at 7 p.m. at Central Library
Indigenous Food Tasting Workshop
Thursday, November 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Grand River Stanley Park Library
Haldimand Proclamation Artwork
The Haldimand Proclamation artwork was painted by Alanah Astehtsi Otsistohkwa (Morningstar) Jewell. It is a stark contrast between the original and current territory of the Six Nations of the Grand River. It hangs in all Kitchener Public Library locations to encourage viewers to reflect on the lands they live and work on. It also helps us remember the original caretakers of this territory.
Curated Reading Lists
Learn more about treaties in Canada by exploring books in our collection. Check out the reading list for adults and the reading list for children.
Virtual Library Resources
Use your library card to discover free online resources in our Virtual Library. These are three recommended videos for Treaties Recognition Week.
- Honour of the Crown is a documentary available on the National Film Board. This documentary follows François Paulette as he successfully fights for the treaty rights of Smith's Landing First Nation.
- Trick of Treaty? is a documentary available on the National Film Board. It portrays one community's attempts to enforce their treaty rights and protect their lands in northern Ontario.
- Treaties Explained is an informative video for kids that's available on CBC Corner. It explains different elements of treaties and highlights major treaties in Canada.
Community Resources
- O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp
- Six Nations of the Grand River Land Claims
- Treaties as Foundations: The Legacy of the Mississauga's of the Credit First Nation lecture at the University of Waterloo on Wednesday, November 6 at 1 p.m.
There is so much to learn about treaties in Canada. We hope you discover something new while exploring these resources!