This year Treaties Recognition Week is recognized from Sunday, November 2 to Saturday, November 8. 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
Bracelet Beading Workshop with Haudenosaunee Artisan, Susan Hill
Saturday, November 1 at 1:30 p.m. at Southwest Community Library
Indigenous Food Tasting Workshop
Monday, November 3 at 7 p.m. at Pioneer Park Library
Indigenous Sharing Circle with Kelly Welch
Saturday, November 15 at 2 p.m. at Forest Heights Library
The Canada Lecture on Citizenship with Tanya Talaga
Tuesday, November 25 at 7 p.m. at Central 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. Here are three recommended resources for Treaties Recognition Week:
- Trick or 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 through CBC Corner. It explains different elements of treaties and highlights major treaties in Canada.
- Whose treaty is it anyway? is a special episode of The Secret Life of Canada that's available through CBC Corner. This episode takes a closer look at the 11 numbered treaties that were forged in Canada between 1871 and 1921.
Community Resources
There is so much to learn about treaties in Canada. We hope you discover something new while exploring these resources!