**** ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS/EDUCATION/EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT Release
Treaty Education Partnership Renewed
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The province, Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey and Millbrook First Nation have renewed a memorandum of understanding creating a partnership to teach treaty education to children in all Nova Scotia schools.
The agreement commits the three partners to teach treaty education in all classrooms and grades and ensures Nova Scotians and the civil service benefit from education about the treaty relationship. It continues the agreement signed on Oct. 1, 2015 that had a five-year lifespan. The new memorandum has no end date.
“Treaty education is an important way of increasing cultural awareness and understanding in our province,” said Premier Stephen McNeil, who is also the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. “I am pleased that this agreement will continue as part of our commitment to educating Nova Scotians on Mi’kmaw treaty rights and our shared history.”
Treaty education helps to answer the following questions:
— who are the Mi’kmaq, historically and today?
— what are the treaties and why are they important?
— what has happened to the treaty relationship?
— how can we promote reconciliation?
The partnership focuses on creating a greater understanding of our shared history, Mi’kmaw and inherent Aboriginal rights, the peace and friendship treaties as historical and living agreements, and the importance of strengthening the relationships between Mi’kmaq and all people of Nova Scotia.
Quotes:
“I’m looking forward to seeing treaty education move forward into a long-lasting partnership to educate all Nova Scotians on the importance of our treaty relationship.”
-Leroy Denny, chair, Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey and chief of Eskasoni First Nation
“I’m pleased to see the commitment and work continue for treaty education. The importance of educating everyone in our shared history is vital for reconciliation to move forward.”
-Bob Gloade, chief of Millbrook First Nation
Quick Facts:
— on Oct. 1, 2015, Premier McNeil and Mi’kmaw leaders signed a five-year agreement to develop treaty education programs and services for the education system, the provincial civil service, and the broader public
— October is Mi’kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia
Additional resources:
Treaty relationship and education: http://novascotia.ca/treaty-education/
Treaty Education Launched During Treaty Day Celebrations: http://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20151001003
Peace and Friendship Treaties:
http://archives.novascotia.ca/mikmaq/results/?Search=AR5&SearchList1=all&TABLE2=on
Mi’kmaq History Month: http://mikmaqhistorymonth.ca/
