Regina Public School Division signs MOU to enhance Indigenous treaty education

Regina Public Schools and Office of the Treaty Commissioner are partnering to strengthen treaty education, Indigenous learning and student programs.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) and the Regina Public School Division (RPSD) was signed this week in effort to enhance treaty education in the classroom.

On Tuesday at the mâmawêyatitân centre, both parties signed an MOU to improve the school division’s strategic plan on Indigenous education. The main focus will be enhancing the concepts, history, culture, community and inclusion of Indigenous narratives and perspectives in its curriculum.

“Indigenous education, treaty education is core curriculum but not only that, it’s an important step on the journey to reconciliation,” said Lacey Weekes, vice-chairperson for the Regina Public Schools Board.

“We are all treaty people. We all need to learn the responsibilities and the commitments that treaty education brings and it’s an historic agreement.”

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As outlined in the agreement, educational projects focused on Indigenous and treaty knowledge will be implemented over the next five years.

Dr. Kathy Walker, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, spoke about the number of initiatives students will see first-hand.

“Everything from teacher training and professional development on treaties, which included some videos that were produced in collaboration with my office,” Walker explained.

“In terms of accountability and reporting, putting treaties right on the report cards is another big initiative. They also have an AI treaty planning tool that teachers can now use to make it easier for them to teach treaty education across different subjects and grade levels.”

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner and the Regina Public School Division will meet annually to review its progress on the agreement, and discuss improvements.

The MOU follows the treaty outcomes of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education.