Strengthening the Circle for Reconciliation - SELU · Strengthening the Circle for Reconciliation...

3/26/2017

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Strengthening the Circle for Reconciliation

Responding to the

Truth and Reconciliation Commission’sCalls to Action

Pre‐Congress SessionSELU Rural Congress 2017

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Strengthening the Circle for ReconciliationSession Outcomes

• Connect Citizenship and Reconciliation

• Examine Historic Context for Reconciliation

• Learn about Reconciliation Calls to Action

• Identify your Reconciliation Plan

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Session Norms

• Acknowledge each other as equals

• Stay curious about each other

• Recognize we need each other’s help to become better listeners

• Slow down so we have time to think and reflect

• Remember that conversation is the way humans think together

• Expect it to be messy at times 

Margaret Wheatley

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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• Federal Commission ‐Mandated by FSIN and Gov’t of Canada

• Two‐fold Mission:

• Treaty Table: facilitate common understanding of Treaties 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10

• advocate for strong Treaty relationship between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous citizens

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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ConcentusCitizenship Education Foundation

• Established in 2012 by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

• Promotes equality, equity, and diversity

• Partners with educators, students, government, other stakeholders

• Provincial, National, International connections

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Reconciliation is...

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Think about… Talk about…

• Reconciliation:  What is it?  Identify some key words or phrases.

• What is the relationship between Citizenship and Reconciliation?

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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• miyo‐wâhkôhtowin – Having good relations

• waypinason – letting go and regaining balance

• Both a goal and a process

• New relationship: respect and understanding of needs, fears and aspirations

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

Reconciliation: What is it? 

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Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action as a framework for Reconciliation

• Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement

• TRC was active from 2008‐2015• Broken up into Sections

• 1‐42 Legacy of Residential School• 1‐5 Child Welfare• 6‐12 Education• 13‐17 Language and Culture • 18‐24 Health• 25‐42 Justice

• 43‐94 Reconciliation of CanadaConcentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Calls to Action

Reconciliation Calls to Action

A New Future

Visual Representation of the Calls to Action

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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TerminologyIndigenous

Saami MaoriNative American

Aboriginal 

First Nation Metis  Inuit

CreeDakota LakotaNakotaDeneSaulteaux

Michif YupikInuktitut 

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Citizenship EducationWhy do this?  What is the need?

• Democracy is fragile and requires eternal vigilance and participation

• Education is an SHRC mandate

• Enlightened, empathetic citizens appreciate and seek to understand other points of view and perspectives

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Rights Responsibility Respect

• New 3 Rs

• Must be intentional and explicit in our teaching about citizenship

• Encourage responsible, respectful and participatory citizens

• Commitment to justice in a pluralistic society 

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Essential Citizenship CompetenciesWhat are they?

Saskatchewan’s approach to citizenship education is intended to build five essential citizenship competencies…. They are meant to be considered as an interwoven fabric of 

citizenship when fully understood.

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation

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Historical events have an impact on today’s decisions and today’s understandings impact our perception and interpretation of historical and current events.

Diversity is strength and should be understood, respected, and affirmed.

Governance and public decision‐making reflect rights and responsibilities,  and promote societal well‐bring 

amidst different conceptions of public good.

Canadian citizenship is lived, relational and experiential and in Canada, requires understanding 

of Aboriginal , treaty and human rights

Each individual has a place in, and a responsibility to contribute to, an ethical civil society; likewise government has a reciprocal responsibility to each member of society. 

Enlightened

Empowered

Empathetic

Ethical

Engaged

Essential Citizenship Competencies

What are they?Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation

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CIRCLE AND ONENESS

COMING TOGETHER OF THE NATION:Praying, talking, dancing, healing 

Circles

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LAWS THROUGH CEREMONIES

LAWS OF THE CREATOR through CEREMONYAllegiance, loyalty, fidelity, unity by the 

nation and its people…

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miyo‐wīcēhtowinwāhkōtohwin

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

…having good relations…  laws governing good relations…PEACE

HARMONYGOOD RELATIONS

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ReconciliationHistorical Contexts

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

leading their people into the next 7 generations…Chief Mistawasis … Chief Ahtahkakoop.

Visionaries 

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Canada’s History of Reconciliation 

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Treaties 4, 5, 6, 8, 10

• Historical Context – a time of great transition (1870s)

• Access to Land for Treaty Rights– Common Provisions

• Annuities• Medicine Chest (famine and pestilence relief)• School house• Agricultural supplies• Hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering• Shelter

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Spirit & Intent of Treaties

• pimacihowin – ‘Ability to make a living’– Elders believed was protected and guaranteed by treaty

• To continue the traditional livelihoodplus

• To receive assistance to adapt to the new way

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The Relationship Promised in Treaty

The Relationship Delivered:

Real estate transaction

Agreement between nations to share ‘milk of Mother Nature’

Photo sources: CBC, Legacy of Hope Foundation

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What Happened? The Indian Act ‐ 1876

• Complete government control ‐ Indian Agent– Citizenship

– Lands and resources

– Cultural and spiritual practices

– Governance systems

– Penalties and permits for trade 

– Pass system – 1885 to 1930

– No legal council until 1950

– Indian Act changed but still in place today

• Indian Residential Schools

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The legacy of Canada’s colonial policies is still affecting education in 2017 

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Reconciliation and Citizenship 

• Intersection between:

– Human Rights

– Treaty Relationships

– Indigenous Rights

• Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Think about… Talk about…  What are you feeling?

Personal Reconciliation Reflection  

• As a citizen, what is in your heart regarding reconciliation?

• Why do you personally need to move forward on reconciliation?

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Brain Break

Take some time to examine the resources in the room

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Reconciliation is...

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Concentus Citizenship Education   What is it? 

• Grade‐specific kindergarten to grade 12 teacher resources

• Resources that support the intentional and explicit teaching of citizenship

• Resources focus on developing understanding of:– Rights of citizens– Responsibilities of citizens to maintain rights

– Respect needed for Canada’s multi‐cultural society

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Aligned with Sask. Curriculum

Social Sciences Outcomes and Majority of Indicators

Inquiries based on Understanding by Design 

(UbD) principles

All inquiries linked to the Essential Citizenship 

Competencies

• Provides a framework for Social Science learning through a citizenship lens that incorporates the Broad Goals of Learning

• Provides First Nations and Métis perspectives and links to the Treaty Essential Learnings

• Supports critical and reflective thinking 

• Supports constructivist learning

• Identifies cross‐curricular connections to other subject areas 

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Concentus Citizenship Additional Resources 

Rights, Responsibilities, Respect:                  Essential Citizenship Competencies

• Overview of Concentus Citizenship Philosophy

Courageous Conversations

• Six Social Contexts Impacting Citizenship

Learning Community Brochures

• Targeted information for specific stakeholders

Website:  www.concentus.ca

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Challenging the Status Quo

“Quality learning experiences place education into culture rather than continuing the practice of 

placing culture into education. “ Pewewardy(1992)

Students must develop a critical consciousness through which they challenge the status quo of the current social order.  

Pg. 14 Rights, Responsibilities, and Respect.

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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OTC Resources: Listen, Learn, Show Up and Share: 

• Treaty Kits and Workshops for teachers• Website/Social Media 

• otc.ca• @TreatyofficeSK

• Speakers/Events• Educate• Positive Stories• Inspire• Clearinghouse

• Facilitating relationships• Reconciliation Saskatoon,

Regina, Lloydminster

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TRC Calls to Action:   What does it mean for education? 

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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TRC Calls to Action   ask educators to…

• use age appropriate curriculum kindergarten to grade 12

• teach about residential schools, and treaties • teach about Indigenous peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada

• build student capacity for inter‐cultural understanding, empathy, and respect

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

3/26/2017

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Reconciliation is not a theory. It’s a reality. It’s happening all around us. 

Right now. 

Conceptus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation, June 22, 2016, Saskatoon

• Six weeks of activities in May‐June 2016

• 30+ organisations • Building relationships, trust• Public engagement • Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation

Reconciliation Saskatoon 

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Month of Reconciliation

• Flag-raising at City Hall

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Month of Reconciliation

• Reconciliation “Selfies” at Powwows, Metis cultural day, public talks, movie nights, libraries

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Month of Reconciliation

• ‘Rock Your Roots’ Walk for Reconciliation

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Partnerships

• Over 40 organizing partners and sponsors

• Working and learning together

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Reconciliation in Action:Momentum Growing

• Day of Prayer for Reconciliation, Oct. 21, 2016

• 38 Catholic elementary, 7 high schools: Saskatoon, Bigger and Humboldt

• Teaching resources and support personnel –TRC Calls to Action

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Reconciliation in Action:Saskatchewan Churches

• Reviewing TRC and their own strategic plans

• Catholic Church

• United Church

• Mennonite Central Committee

• Unitarian Church

• Anglican Church

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Reconciliation in Action:Media

• Group of journalists - October 2016 conference

• how to improve media coverage of Indigenous issues?

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What does reconciliation mean to you?

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Reconciliation:How has your thinking changed?

• As a Citizen, what will be your personal Call to Action?

• What Reconciliation opportunities will you encourage at your organization? 

• What was the most useful information you learned today?

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission

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Thank you

For further information, contact:

Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation

www.concentus.ca

Office of the Treaty Commissioner

www.otc.ca

@TreatyOfficeSK

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Concentus Citizenship Education Foundation Office of the Treaty Commissioner Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission