Dear 2015 Treaty4Project students,

At the beginning of the school year, we saw the need to talk about Treaties in a different way.  Thank you for your willingness to be open.  We understand it has been challenging to hear some of the stories these presenters shared with us…   However, you have learned something.  You are now more educated than before and it is with this new knowledge and understanding,  that you can be the change and create awareness around inclusion.  Here are some of your comments after Treaty 4: The Next Generation Project Youth Conference:

"Seeing her point of view on how she was affected by white privilege factors 

and to see the difference in how I am treated and how someone with another 

skin tone is treated was a really touching experience and a huge eye opener."

Unpacking the Invisible knapsack

"It was a very heavy topic, but I think it was the one that left the most impact on me."

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

"She did this imaginative exercise on what it would be like to be taken and it just 

really put me in the position of fear and sadness to be able to (experience) what 

it was like for only a second to what people go through regularly and some 

people are still going through."

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

"The cree language is very beautiful and makes you feel good 

inside and expressing it through song made it all the more lovely."

Indigenous knowledge

"Learning about how these families would only receive 5$ at a time and 

get fined 15$ really made me think."

Historical primary source inquiry 

"Treaties were negotiated for 6 days more or less, and a decision had been made. 

Very fast decision making."

Treaty 4 Role Play

"That there are different ways to paint and different symbols 

to represent Saskatchewan or treaty 4."

Art with Ray

As teachers, what was amazing was to watch you, the students, over those two days because we witnessed your passion and your excitement as you went from presentation to presentation and as you worked individually or with your family group to find a way to represent what you had learned through painting.  Treaty 4: The Next Generation Project was a learning experience for students and also for teachers. It is our hope this project has allowed you to imagine a better world and actively create the province in which you want to live.

Mme Laing and Mme Fortier-Fréçon

2015 Treaty 4 Next Generation Art Unveiled

The culmination of all the Treaty 4: The Next Generationwork by students at Balfour, Campbell, Martin and Scott Collegiates was unveiled on June 11 at the official unveiling of The Next Generation/La prochaine génération.

The art work by artist Ray Keighley who worked with students, teachers and educational partners was proudly unveiled at a ceremony at Campbell Collegiate. The artwork will travel to a number of occasions and will serve as a legacy of this ground-breaking Regina Public Schools project in the understanding of Treaty 4. 

By Regina Public Schools Treaty 4 Next Generation Art Unveiled 

People to thank...

People to thank Treaty 4: The Next Generation Project - 2015 Edition

1. The 2015 Treaty4Project Committee:

      Elder Noel Starblanket

      Leia Laing

      Naomi Sara Fortier-Fréçon

      Dr. Angelina Weenie
      Dr. Kathleen O’Reilly
      Monique Bowes
      Calvin Racette
      Sandra Bellegarde
      Hillary Ibbott-Neiszner

2.  Ray Keighley (Artist)

3.   The 2015 Teaching Team: 

Tiffany Agopsowicz
Tana Burrows
Heather Findlay
Tamara Smith
Leia Laing
Naomi Sara Fortier-Fréçon

4.  First Nations University of Canada

Dr. Angelina Weenie
Dr. Kathleen O’Reilly
Cadmus Delorme
Denise Kaiswatum
Racelle Kooy Communications First Nations University
Roland Kaye - Elder Assistant 
Brad Bellegarde - Performance and the use of the song  "I Remember" - Written & Performed by: InfoRed  

5.  Our Presenters during the Youth conference (April 28th, 2015)

Shannon McNabb
Brenda Dubois
Dr. James Daschuk
Calinda Hotomanie
Nicole Peigan
Crystal Starr
Amber Boddy
Whitney Cote
Winona Yuzicappi
Connie Starblanket
Dr. Shauneen Pete
Sandra Bellegarde
Dr. Andrew Miller
Riva Racette
Jessica Dieter
Calvin Racette
Dr. Sylvia McAdam
Creeson Agecoutay

6.            Cynthia Hock, Campbell Collegiate principal

7.           Luc Lerminaux, Superintendent, Regina Public Schools

8.           The Regina Public Schools consultant team

9.           Campbell Collegiate Parent Council - C4 committee for their financial contribution

10.          Campbell Collegiate Language Core for their financial contribution

11.         Scott Collegiate for hosting our Leadership Retreat

12.         Balfour, Martin and Scott collegiate for their financial contribution 

13.         Lisa Smith (RPS, who organised the gifts)

14.          Havik; Robb Rutledge for the use of the Mannequin

15.          Evelyn Sigfried from Royal Saskatchewan Museum for the Treaty 4 medal

16.          Terry Lazarou Communications Regina Public Schools 

17.          Perry Bellegarde for the Treaty Suit

18.          Campbell Collegiate Commercial Cooking Program 
                (Lacey Cook, Jessica Sandomirsky, Theresa Burkholder)

19.          Nash Brogen - Treaty4Project Video

And of course:

This project is funded through ArtSmarts, a program of ArtSmarts Saskatchewan (the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education, SaskCulture Inc. and ArtsSmarts/GénieArts) with support from the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation program partners with in-kind donations from Campbell Collegiate, Regina Public Schools and First Nations University of Canada.

Indigenous Circle - May 3 2015 - Part 2 (start at 2:30)

Treaty4Project on Indigenous Circle (May 3 Part 2, start at 2:30)

Treaty 4 Youth Conference: Day 2

Day 2 (Wednesday, April 30th) began with the sessions from the previous day still fresh in students' minds.  Today, students needed to respond to the question, "What does it mean to be a treaty 4 citizen?".  Students began the day working in family groups in order to discuss this question.

La deuxième journée de la conférence, les élèves sont revenus ayant en tête la question suivante  " Que signifie le fait d'être un citoyen du traité no 4?"  Les élèves ont commencé la journée en discutant avec les membres de leurs groupes familiaux au sujet de cette question.

Once students had discussed in their "family groups", the collaborative art project began.  Ray Keighley, the artist working with the students, provided the guidance needed to get the project off the ground.

Lorsque les élèves ont discuté de l'idée de la citoyenneté avec leurs groupes, le projet collaboratif a débuté.  Ray Keighley, l'artiste responsable de ce projet artistique a offert le soutien nécessaire aux élèves pour débuter ce projet d'envergure.

See the work in progress for yourself!  Examinez de plus près le progrès des élèves:

Throughout the day, students and teachers were interviewed by various media outlets.

Pendant la journée, plusieurs élèves et enseignants ont réalisés des entrevues avec de nombreux médias.

As students worked in their family groups, the art project began to come together.  Some students chose to create their tile individually, while others chose to work as a group.

Pendant que les élèves travaillaient dans leurs groupes respectifs, le projet d'art a commencé à prendre forme.  Quelques élèves ont choisi de travailler sur leurs toiles de façon indépendante, tandis que d'autres ont choisi de travailler en groupe.

And finally, the project came together.  Below, see the final art piece - treaty citizenship as represented by students from Balfour, Martin, Scott and Campbell Collegiates.

Et voilà, le projet est complété.  Ce projet collaboratif représente la compréhension des élèves des écoles Balfour, Martin, Scott et Campbell au sujet de l'idée d'une citoyenneté envers le traité no 4.

At the end of the day, the students and staff gathered together to reflect on the work that they had done.  A special thank you to the student leaders from each school who helped to guide their groups in this process.

À la fin de la journée, les élèves et les enseignants se sont réunis pour réfléchir sur le travail qui a été accompli.  Les enseignants aimeraient remercier les élèves qui se sont portés volontaires pour guider leurs groupes de famille à réfléchir à l'idée d'un sentiment d'appartenance au traité no 4.

Treaty 4 Youth Conference: Day 1

The Treaty4Project Youth Conference began with a bang on Tuesday, April 29th.  Students from Scott, Martin, Balfour and Campbell Collegiates were welcomed to the First Nations University of Canada by Cadmus Delorme, Brad Bellegarde, and the MC for the day, Sandra Bellegarde.

La conférence jeunesse Treaty4Project a débuté mardi le 29 avril.  Les élèves des écoles Scott, Martin, Balfour et Campbell ont été accueillis à l'Université des Premières Nations du Canada par Cadmus Delorme, Brad Bellegarde et la maîtresse des cérémonies, Sandra Bellegarde.

Students were able to see some important artifacts from the signing of treaty 4 including the treaty 4 medal  and the treaty 4 suit.  Special thanks Chief Perry Bellegarde, Elder Noel Starblanket and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum who assisted in this process.

Les élèves ont eu la chance à examiner de près des artefacts importants datés de la signature du traité no 4, la médaille et le costume original donné le jour de ce moment historique.  La comité aimerait remercier le Chef Perry Bellegarde, l'ainé Noel Starblanket et le musée royal de la Saskatchewan qui a accordé son soutien dans l'obtention de ces deux objets historiques. 

The Treaty 4 Medal and the Treaty 4 Suit

Brad Bellegarde (@InfoRediculous) performs for the students 

View from the 2nd floor at First Nations University - Students gathering.

Cadmus Delorme - Welcoming the students to the First Nations University.

Students were able to participate in a variety of workshops led by First Nations University students, staff and invited presenters.  These session included:

Les sessions offertes pendant la première journée ont inclus:

Indigenous knowledge: Learning Cree though traditional song  Shannon McNabb

Missing and murdered aboriginal women  Brenda Dubois

Clearing the Plains: Dr Jim Daschuk                                                                        

Treaty 4 Role Play: Calinda Hotomanie, Nicole Peigan, Crystal Starr, Amber Boddy, 
Whitney Cote, Winona Yuzicappi. Connie Starblanket                   

Art planning  Ray Keighley

Indigenization: Dr Shauneen Pete

Historical Primary Source Inquiry   Sandra Bellegarde

Do indigenous people have rights to mine?  Dr Andrew Miller

Legal interpretation and language interpretation (spirit and intent) Riva Racette

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack (McIntosh)   Jessica Dieter

The Métis Experience  Calvin Racette

Nationhood Interrupted: Revitalizing nêhiyaw Legal Systems: Dr Sylvia McAdam

TV NEWS: Indigenous Circle on CTV Creeson Agecoutay

See below for a few photos of sessions:

Art Planning with Ray Keighley

Preparations begin for the collaborative art project on Day 2

My Wish for the Students of the "Treaty 4 The Next Generation" Project

Dear students of the "Treaty 4 the Next Generation" Project,

May you use your new found knowledge to help others to see the world differently.  May you consider that which you read, see or hear before making a decision about it.  I  hope you will ask yourselves, "Whose voice am I not hearing?", "What other perspective is there?" and "What else do I need to know?" before you jump to a conclusion or accept something as truth.

 I hope you learned that when we collaborate we are more intelligent, more creative, more considerate and more artistic because we combine many ways of knowing into one. Ignorance is the biggest barrier to change and acceptance. May you break down these barriers by educating others and by continuing to educate yourselves.

My wish is that you will consider our history and mistakes of the past, not to feel guilty, but to make better decisions for our future.   I hope you will take these lessons you learned and use them for good; that you will educate your families, your friends, your classmates and, yes, even your teachers.

You have the knowledge and the creativity to be the change, to be the next generation and, in doing so, to create a better future for your children and your grandchildren.

Thank you for your leadership, your open minds and your open hearts. May they continue to grow and influence others.  I hope you know more than you did before and, I hope you understand that, when you know better, you are obligated to do better.  May you do better.

Hillary Ibbott Neiszner
http://hillaryibbottneiszner.blogspot.ca/?spref=fb

Treaty4Project - Collaborative mural complete

There will be more pictures of this collaborative project coming soon….

Des nouvelles photos seront ajoutées prochainement…

Leader Post - Treaty 4 focus of student conference

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Treaty+focus+student+conference/11011798/story.html

Entrevue: Radio-Canada - Pour faire un monde (28 Avril 2015)

Les enseignantes Leia Lang et Naomi Fréçon-Fortier ont conçu un projet en français pour favoriser l'enseignement des traités et notamment du traité numéro 4 en Saskatchewan. Leia Laing et l'élève Alexa Lawlor nous en parlent.

La place du français dans l'enseignement des traités en Saskatchewan

Leader Post - A different way to teach Treaty 4 rights

http://www.leaderpost.com/news/different+teach+Treaty+rights/11006903/story.html

Almost there... Youth Conference is tomorrow

 

Grade 12, Emma Harold and Julie Saigeon working on Treaty4Project Arts Skills

Working with Ray Keighley

“How did he do that?” I heard my students suddenly whisper as Ray Keighley seemed to transform his piece effortlessly with each swift stroke of his hand. 

Last Wednesday, Ray Keighley led our students in a painting workshop in preparation for the collaborative art piece at the conference.  He showed them different techniques using sponges, water and paint brushes and encouraged them to explore, to make mistakes and then to transform those mistakes into art.  It was wonderful to see an entire class, fully engaged in their creations. 

Some of the students laughed at their mistakes, but rather than getting discouraged, they experimented and tried transforming them into something completely different, in short, they were learning.  One student was disappointed with the shape of her mountains, so she added colours and symbols of the Seven Sacred Animals inside the forms she’d created and her piece came to life; another student started off with little direction and just put colour onto his page, but when he decided that rather than starting over, he would simply blend the reds and the oranges together, he found himself with a beautiful sunset background for his truth seeking turtle.

Ray spent time on his own work at the front, showing the students blending techniques and little tricks he’d learned, but his favourite part was obviously going from table to table talking with them, asking them about their piece and teaching. 

These same students continue to ask themselves “how can I represent something as complex as Treaty citizenship in an art piece?”  This guiding question is one our students are working at exploring through symbols and their own understanding.  Wednesday, April 29^th is the day when the 250 students from Martin, Balfour, Scott and Campbell will create their large-scale collaborative art piece with Ray Keighley at First Nation University of Canada.

Leia

Treaty4Project - Leadership retreat at Scott Collegiate: April 24th 2015

In preparation for the Treaty4Project Youth Conference next week, students from Scott, Balfour, Martin and Campbell Collegiates came together to develop their leadership skills. See more pictures in Our Students / Nos élèves.

TV NEWS: Indigenous Circle on CTV (Creeson Agecoutay)

Day to day TV news broadcasting and highlights of CTV’s Indigenous Circle. Showcasing the success of Saskatchewan’s First Nation and Metis community.

 

Biography: Creeson is Host/Producer of CTV's Indigenous Circle & VJ for CTV News Regina, Member of Cowessess First Nation.

Originaire de la réserve Premières Nations Cowessess, animateur et réalisateur de l’émission Indigenous Circle à CTV et animateur radio pour CTV News Regina, Creeson nous présentera les succès des communautés Premières Nations et Métis dans les médias.

Nationhood Interrupted: Revitalizing nêhiyaw Legal Systems (Dr. Sylvia McAdam)

Colonization has led to the loss of languages, traditions and nêhiyaw (Cree) laws that were once passed down through oral traditions from generation to generation.  McAdam, a co-founder of the international movement Idle No More, shares nêhiyaw laws so that future generations, both nêhiyaw and non-Indigenous people, may understand and live by them to revitalize Indigenous nationhood.

Biography: Sylvia McAdam (Saysewahum) is a citizen of the nêhiyaw Nation (Treaty 6), who holds a Juris Doctorate (LL.B) from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor’s of Human Justice (B.H.J) from the University of Regina. She is a recipient of the Carol Geller Human Rights Award, Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers Award, Social Justice Award, 2014 Global Citizen Award, and has received several eagle feathers from Indigenous communities. She remains active in the global grassroots Indigenous led resistance called “Idle No More” (www.idlenomore.ca).

La colonisation européenne a eu pour effet de provoquer la disparition des langues, des traditions et des lois premières Nations qui autrefois étaient transmise à travers la tradition orale de génération en génération.  Sylvia est l’auteure du livre Nationhood Interrupted: Revitalizing nêhiyaw Legal Systems et sa présentation portera sur le système des lois Premières Nations avant l’arrivée la colonisation européenne.  Le but de cette discussion est de permettre d’informer les générations futures autant celles Premières Nations que celles non-Premières Nations soit informées et comprennent l’origine et la présence de ces lois nêhiyaw.  L’espoir de McAdam est que la diffusion de cette information permettra de favoriser une revitalisation et le maintien de la culture Premières Nations au Canada.

Biographie : Sylvia McAdam est originaire du Traité no 6 (Réserve de Big River).  Elle détient des diplômes en droit et en justice sociale et enseigne au sujet des lois et des cérémonies autochtones.  Sylvia est l’une des quatre fondatrices du mouvement mondial Idle No More qui est reconnu à travers le monde comme une révolution pacifique en l’honneur de la souveraineté autochtone. 

Reference: https://www.purichpublishing.com/module=swm_ecommerce&page=product_detail&categoryID=3&productID=102