Students had a chance to add a bead to a wampum belt in the cafetorium at SDSS in honour of Treaty Recognition Week.

In honour of Treaty Recognition Week, which has taken place the first week in November since 2016 to honour the importance of treaties and help Ontarians better understand treaty rights and relationships, Saugeen District Secondary School took part in four days of activities.

On Monday, November 5 the school assembled to listen to former Chief Randall Kahgee speak about local treaties and Ray Auger re-visited the meaning of the wampum belt. Shirley John opened the ceremony along with local drummers from Saugeen First Nation.

On Tuesday November 6 and Wednesday, November 7 students went to the cafeteria to add beads to a wampum belt designed by teacher Adrian Kahgee. The belt represents an educational commitment to continued learning.

On Thursday November 8 anthropologist Bill Fitzgerald presented to groups of students and looked at 11,000 years of natural and cultural events that have led to the generation of local treaties between 1836 and 1854. Fitzgerald also brought artifacts for students to explore.

Photos submitted.

Saugeen First Nation Elder Shirley John opened the events at Saugeen District Secondary School in honour of Treaty Recognition Week.

Drummers for Saugeen First Nation helped to bring a start to the events.

Former Saugeen First Nation Chief Randall Kahgee spoke of local treaties in Saugeen First Nation territory.

Ray Auger, First Nation, Metis and Inuit Advisor with the Bluewater District School Board, discussed the meaning of the wampum belt.

Students had an opportunity to add a bead to a wampum belt designed by teacher Adrian Kahgee. The belt represented an educational commitment to continued learning at SDSS.