U of M, Treaty Relations Commission announce new partnership

It's an agreement that could change relations between indigenousand non-indigenous students, staff and faculty for years to come, proponents say.

The University of Manitoba and the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba signed amemorandum of understanding on Thursday to enhance treaty education at the school.

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The agreement includes seminars on treaties, a summer institute on how to include treaty education in course syllabusesand a student ambassador program, said Deborah Young, executive lead for indigenous achievement at the University of Manitoba.

"It's really allowing our faculty, our staffand our students to learn more about treaty education and what that means to all of us as Manitobans," said Young.

Ashley Richard, 25, is a student ambassador with the Student Treaty Alliance and answers questions on campus about treaty relations.

"I hope that this reduces ignorance. I want everyone to understand the concept: we are all treaty people. The treaties were signed by two parties, indigenous people and non-indigenous people, so the treaties apply to both sides of that relationship," said Richard.

Curriculum changes resulting from the memorandum of understandingwill not just affect general arts students, said Young. All students, includingthose in science, will have the opportunity to learn from experts in seminars on treaty relations, she said.

"One of the commitments that we're making with the MOU is to bring Jamie Wilson and elders and individuals who are knowledgeable about treaties" to the university, said Young.

"Formalizing this partnership will allow us to continue to build on the impactful work that is already underway," Wilson, a treaty relations commissioner, said in a news release.

"By ensuring indigenous achievement is part of the strategic plan for every faculty and department at the University of Manitoba, we feel confident that this MOU will inspire individuals and empower the kind of change that will help us build healthier relationships and stronger communities," he said.