The Prince Albert Grand Council kicked off their virtual treaty fair Monday morning.
The PAGC decided to move the event to a virtual platform due to the growing number of Covid-19 cases in the province.
Over the next few days, the event will be exploring ideas around treaty awareness and reconciliation. Sessions include treaty misconceptions and history, land-based learning, and discussions on truth and reconciliation. The treaty fair is being presented in partnership with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.
During his opening remarks, PAGC Chief Brian Hardlotte says he hopes for more mandatory treaty education in all schools. In 2008, treaty education was made mandatory for classes across the province, however, Chief Hardlotte says education systems need to take treaty education even further.
“I think that’s where we need to go,” said Hardlotte. “If we are going to build future leaders in our communities and First Nations I think we have to go that way.”
Deputy Minister of Education, Donna Johnson, also spoke on the importance of events like the treaty fair and how they go a long way towards truth and reconciliation.
“Without a foundational understanding of our shared treaty history and treaty relationships it is very difficult to move forward toward reconciliation,” said Johnson.
The first keynote speaker for the event was PAGC’s Director of Education Edward Mirasty. Mirasty spoke on a number of topics including the colonial thought patterns that took control of the Indigenous experience, the effects of trauma and resiliency as they relate to Residential Schools, and his belief that all schools should teach about treaties, residential schools, and the Indigenous experience.
“Proper treaty education must fill the gap left by historical misconceptions that often lead to ignorance,” said Mirasty. “Education is an important and first step toward reconciliation because you can’t have reconciliation unless you acknowledge the truth.”
The PAGC Treaty Fair will run until Wednesday.
(PHOTO: A screenshot of PAGC Director of Education Edward Mirasty speaking at the virtual treaty fair.)