Paisley Road students learn about treaties through special partnership with neighbouring school
November 6, 2017
GUELPH, Ontario – An incredible initiative is taking shape at Paisley Road Public School, which focuses on the importance of treaties and caring for the land.
Students at Paisley Road PS and neighbouring St. Joseph Catholic School have made an on-going joint commitment to take care of the Earth. The partnership between the two schools will be renewed each year.
While each school has its own path, the students will do their work with the understanding that they are united in peace, friendship and responsibility to take care of the planet, together.
On Nov. 1, Maurice Switzer, of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation and author of We Are All Treaty People, was at Paisley Road PS to present students with a wampum belt created by both schools.
The Two Row Wampum is widely recognized as the first formalized agreement between Europeans and Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island (North America). The wampum belt envisions a relationship between the two treaty partners of peace, friendship and mutual respect. The parallel rows of purple wampum represent the journeys of two peoples, neither interfering with each other’s voyage or trying to steer the other’s vessel. Indigenous peoples viewed these principles as fundamental to their relationship with settlers and believe that treaties commit the partners to caring for the land.
From Nov. 6 to 10, the school is marking Treaties Recognition Week in a number of ways. The schools will display the treaty promises each class made, renewing their relationship with St. Joseph students and their commitment to take care of the Earth. Morning announcements will reflect on different ways the school community can help take care of the land. In the library, students can add to a Lego wampum belt being created and do activities that teach about treaties. The library will also host story time sessions on treaties, followed up by teachings and sharing circles.
Later in the month, Switzer will return for workshops and an assembly at St. Joseph’s, where Paisley Road PS students will also participate. Dan and Mary Lou Smoke will visit Paisley Road PS at the end of the month to share their knowledge about treaties and drum with the students.
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