REGINA — A step into implementing more treaty education in Regina has been made.
On Tuesday, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by Regina Public Schools (RPS) and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, marking important progress in the implementation of treaty education, said Dr. Kathy Walker of the OTC.
“We need more updating of what we're teaching about treaties and how we teach.”
Walker said revisions became necessary because treaty education, mandated by the province in 2008, lacked adequate support.
“There needs to be another revitalization like more support to actually implement this.”
She is hopeful the MOU could steer educational institutions more towards land-based learning.
“Treaties are very much rooted in the land; that type of teaching, land-based teaching, I think would be something that I'd like to see more of.”
Lacey Weekes, vice-chair of the RPS board of education, said this agreement will help those in the classroom understand the history of land better.
“So this agreement really puts in concrete tools that will help support students and teachers to teach treaty education and incorporate it into every subject and every grade.”
The RPS themselves have been working on strengthening treaty and Indigenous education, said CEO Mark Haarmann.
“Beginning this school year, an AI-based treaty education planner was made available so every teacher in our division could plan lessons that include treaty outcomes in every grade and in every subject.”
The school division will also roll out a three-year Indigenous education plan next month.
“[This] will mark an unprecedented investment in indigenous education and make this school division, the city, and I will argue this province and country a better place for everyone,” said Haarmann.
