(AGENPARL) – gio 15 dicembre 2022 [Manitoba Media Notice]
December 15, 2022
Manitoba Government Invests $50,000 to
Support Development of Agowiidiwinan Centre
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Investment will Enhance Treaty Education Across Manitoba, Improve Relationships Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Peoples: Ewasko, Lagimodiere
The Manitoba government announced an investment of $50,000 in the Agowiidiwinan Centre as the site opened today in Winnipeg, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko and Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere announced today.
“As outlined in our Indigenous education policy framework Mamàhtawisiwin: The Wonder We Are Born With, our government prioritizes teaching true history and expanding knowledge of treaties,” said Ewasko. “This investment in the Agowiidiwinan Centre will help Manitoba students and their families gain this knowledge by better understanding Indigenous worldviews, values, identities, traditions and contemporary lifestyles, and we are proud to have supported the development of this important project.”
The Agowiidiwinan Centre was developed by the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba as an accessible educational training space that will enable broader public engagement and education about treaty histories, relationships and responsibilities. Agowiidiwinan means ‘treaties’ in the Anishinaabemowin language.
“This investment demonstrates our government’s strong commitment to promoting truth and reconciliation in Manitoba,” said Lagimodiere. “The Agowiidiwinan Centre will enhance treaty education throughout our province and improve the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.”
The Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba is a neutral body created through a partnership between the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Government of Canada, with a mandate to strengthen, rebuild and enhance the treaty relationship and mutual respect, as envisioned by the treaty parties. It has been in operation since 2005.
“The Agowiidiwinan Centre will take people on a journey through time. It provides some of the history of treaty-making leading up to the treaties between First Nations and the British Crown but also looks at aspects of the contemporary relationship, which are rooted in the treaties,” said Loretta Ross, treaty commissioner, Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba. “The Agowiidiwinan Centre provides a balanced view of our shared history, some of which has been left out of history books and classrooms. We therefore encourage people to visit the centre and take advantage of this wonderful learning opportunity.”
The Agowiidiwinan Centre will enhance the commission’s ability to:
– educate and engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous people on the treaties;
– increase awareness of the treaties, as the centre is in a highly-visible area accessible to the general public;
– celebrate and showcase the oral and archival history and the contemporary understanding of treaties through immersive displays, book features, music, arts and archival materials; and
– engage First Nations and Canada in understanding ongoing roles and responsibilities as treaty partners by hosting and facilitating discussions.
The Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2015 identified a lack of historical knowledge about treaties on the part of the broader Canadian community. As such, the commissioners called on all levels of government and other organizations in Canada to provide various forms of public education. In particular, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued 94 Calls to Action, several of which address the lack of historical knowledge regarding Indigenous histories, treaties and the treaty relationship among Canadians.
The ministers noted contributing to the development of an educational centre focused on building treaty awareness is an important step in the advancement of the 94 Calls to Action, identified as a priority in the Speech from the Throne and legislative commitments, as well as ministerial and departmental mandates.
For more information on the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, visit: https://trcm.ca/.
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For more information:
– Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
– Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-451-7109.