This week marks Treaties Recognition Week (November 3 – 9), providing us with an opportunity to reflect and learn about the historical and contemporary impacts of treaties in Canada.
Treaties were meant to serve as a foundational framework for sharing the land that Indigenous peoples have inhabited for time immemorial. Deepening our understanding of their complex legacy is crucial to reconciliation efforts and building stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
GBC and partner resources
The City of Toronto (and our college) is located within the Toronto Purchase Treaty lands (Treaty 13). I encourage you to join me in honouring and learning about the importance and impact of treaties that continue to shape our province and country. The following George Brown College resources are a great place to start:
- MyGBC Podcast with Maurice Switzer, educator and author of We Are All Treaty People
- Land Acknowledgment and treaty history with Chef David Wolfman
You can also find detailed information on the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation website, George Brown’s treaty partner.
Indigenous Knowledge Keepers Series, November 27
November is also Indigenous Education Month, and Indigenous Initiatives is hosting a special event as part of the Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Series (IKKS). I encourage you to register for Indigeneity & Disability: Perspectives on Education and Accessibility, exploring the intersections of identity, ability, and education through an Indigenous lens.
Let us take time to learn, reflect, and reaffirm our collective commitment to reconciliation.
Dr. Gervan Fearon
President
Image: Chief Stacey Laforme, Gimaa, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Dr. Gervan Fearon, President of George Brown College at MOU signing June 21, 2022.
