Maya-waasige is a Bruce Peninsula-based Storyteller who shares traditional Ojibwe, Boodawaadomi and Anishnaabe tales as they relate to Bruce County. Photo submitted

The first week of November is “Treaties Recognition Week”, a week designated to learning more about Treaty rights and responsibilities in Ontario. Each year the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre (BCM&CC) works with schools throughout Bruce and Grey counties to deliver programming for students to learn and have a better understanding of Ontario Treaties.

In a BCM&CC media release, while school year may look a little different, the Museum plans to continue providing this educational experience in a virtual format. Students will learn through a combination of video segments, guided exploration activities, and resources from the BCM&CC's exhibits, discovering the Treaties that govern the land in Bruce County.

Students will learn about the Treaty process in Ontario and its importance to the present and future of the region, gaining perspective on very hard choices that have faced the Anishinaabe people.

The event will be livestreamed and held on the Museum's Facebook page, with special guest speaker Maya-waasige (John Keeshig), a Bruce Peninsula-based Storyteller who shares traditional Ojibwe, Boodawaadomi and Anishnaabe tales as they relate to Bruce County.

The content was developed through past consultation used to develop an in-person version of the program, and then coordinated closely with Chastity Jenner-Keeshig, an Anishinaabemowin teacher at Kikendaasogaamig in Neyaashiinigmiing and a member of the Museum's Education Advisory Group.

Educators who are interested in participating may contact Education Coordinator, Mike Schwindt to reserve their class time for this free virtual education program. Video resources will be released on Monday, November 2 and Wednesday, November 4. The Live session will take place on Friday, November 6. All of these resources will be available for educators to use in their classrooms until the end of the school year.

Treaties Recognition Week education programming is proudly presented by Bruce Telecom.