It is very important to teach Treaty Education because we are all treaty people. We are all on treaty land and must learn the importance of that. In general, a teacher does not know the historical background of their students just by looking at them. There may be a First Nations, Metis, or Inuit student in the classroom and they would have no idea. It is important to not only educate the students on Treaty Education but in the situation of the school’s staff not understanding the importance of it, it is also important to educate them and provide resources where they can go and educate themselves on the importance of Treaty Education. It is important to remember that as teachers we have a big influence over the students and what we prioritize as important the students will as well. If we address Treaty Education with the same importance as a Math class, students will have a better understanding of treaties and what land they are on and the significance of that and not think of it as insignificant.
In a class where students have a lack of understanding around Treaty Education you must start from the bottom and work your way up. Start small and explain first that we are all treaty people and we all have the responsibility to learn and understand what that means. There is no excuse as to why Treaty Education should not be taught in schools. As teachers it is our job to educate each other and help one another to grow as a person. The purpose of teaching Treaty Education or any content/perspectives relating to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit is that we are all on their land and we are all a part of the treaties created. In order to understand the significance of the land we stand on and respect the treaties we must teach each generation of its importance because it will never become less important.
The curriculum outlines what needs to be taught in class. Treaty Education is in the curriculum and should be addressed with the same importance as any other subject. It is important to remind teachers that this is not an optional subject and it is important to address Treaty Education with the same amount of importance as any other class. When addressing this subject, it helps students understand why it is important to learn it when you remind them that we are treaty people. Being reminded that we are treaty people makes the subject more personal and makes people more willing to learn it and respect it. People make mistakes and that is okay but it is important to correct these mistakes. In a classroom where students have been given false information mistakes are going to happen. As a teacher, it is our job to correct students when they say something that is not correct and explain why what they have said is wrong. As teachers, we all have the responsibility to teach Treaty Education and there is no excuse to not teach it.
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