AP 150: Treaty Acknowledgment Protocol
Administration of Policy and Legislation
Background
The Superintendent recognizes the historical significance and contributions of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples and their cultures and understands the important role that the Indigenous communities play today and in the future. Division staff and students shall demonstrate the importance of honouring Indigenous Canadian commemorative awareness days, weeks and months.
These awareness events are opportunities for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, whom the Canadian Constitution recognizes as Indigenous Peoples.
The Division additionally recognizes the importance of honouring and acknowledging both Treaty No. 6 Territory and Treaty No. 8 Territory as we work towards strengthening relations and building bridges with our neighbouring Indigenous communities.
The Superintendent expects all staff to acknowledge and respect all of the 47 different First Nations that are represented across Alberta.
Definitions
a) Traditional Treaty No. 6 Territory: shall refer to a specific place, within Alberta, that has been and continues to be utilized for traditional meeting grounds, gathering places, and traveling routes for the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Assiniboine, Stoney, Métis, Dene and Nakota Sioux.
b) Traditional Treaty No. 8 Territory: shall refer to a specific place, within Alberta, that has been and continues to be utilized for traditional meeting grounds, gathering places and traveling routes for the Cree, Dene, and Métis.
Procedures
1. Division staff and students, at their respective sites, shall demonstrate recognition for special Indigenous days, weeks and/or months; notably:
1.1. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: September 30th;
1.2. Orange Shirt Day: September 29th;
1.3. Indigenous Veterans’ Day: November 8th;
1.4. Louis Riel Day: November 16th;
1.5. Métis Awareness Week: The week of November 16th;
1.6. National Indigenous History Month: June;
1.7. National Indigenous Peoples Day: June 21st.
2. The Superintendent or designate shall identify alternate days and weeks, when the days and weeks in S.1 (above) conflict with calendar holidays or weekends.
3. Any Acknowledgment shall be thoughtfully prepared, and spoken so as to evoke an awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life.
4. Preparation of an Acknowledgment may require a thoughtful consideration of any or all of the following:
4.1. Why an Acknowledgment needs to happen;
4.2. How the Acknowledgment relates to the event or work you are doing;
4.3. The history of the Territory and the impacts of colonialism in the Territory;
4.4. The individual relationship to the Territory, and how the speaker came to be here; and
4.5. Individual and organizational efforts to advance Truth and Reconciliation commitments.
5. Division Staff shall acknowledge both Treaty No. 6 Territory and Treaty No. 8 Territory with appropriate Treaty Acknowledgment Statements at all board meetings and hosted public and/or community events and gatherings as deemed prudent to do so; specifically, at those events where the National Anthem is played.
6. As determined by location, administrators and school staff shall acknowledge either Treaty No. 6 Territory or Treaty No. 8 Territory with an appropriate Treaty Acknowledgment Statement at significant school and/or community special events, celebrations and gatherings as deemed prudent to do so; specifically, at those events where the National Anthem is played.
7. The acknowledgement needs to be made at any appropriate time during the Opening Remarks.
8. Treaty Acknowledgement shall appropriately reference:
8.1. The history of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people;
8.2. The ancestral land of Treaty No. 6 and/or Treaty No. 8 Territories;
8.3. Our Treaty No. 6 neighbouring Nations, including:
8.3.1. The Paul First Nation,
8.3.2. The Enoch Cree Nation,
8.3.3. The Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, and
8.3.4. The Alexander Cree Nation; and/or
8.4. Our Treaty No. 8 neighbouring Nations, including:
8.4.1. The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation,
8.4.2. The Fort Chipewyan Métis, and
8.4.3. The Mikisew Cree First Nation.
Schedule 150A: Sample Treaty Acknowledgment Statements
With peace, harmony and unity, we honour the land on which PSD resides which now includes Treaty No. 6 and Treaty No. 8 territories.
In Treaty No. 6, we recognize and acknowledge this is traditional and ancestral land, home to many First Nation, Métis and Inuit, including our immediate neighbours from Alexander Cree Nation, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Enoch Cree Nation and Paul First Nation.
Treaty No. 8 is the traditional homeland to Cree, Dene, and Métis. Athabasca Delta Community School serves Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Fort Chipewyan Métis and the Mikisew Cree First Nation.
We take time to recognize the land as an act of reconciliation and gratitude. We acknowledge Indigenous values, traditional teachings, ways of being, contributions and historical inequalities. We respect all cultures with an open heart and an open mind. We ALL heal together.
Approved:
