Province wants kids to learn about aboriginal treaties in the classroom

Up North8:55David Zimmer in northern Ontario

Ontario's minister of Aboriginal Affairs speaking at the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities conference.

Ontario's aboriginal affairs minister will be in North BayThursdayto help launch a program aimed at educating the province's school kids about First Nations treaties.

David Zimmer will make the announcement with Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbeein North Bay.

"We have to really make an effort,particularlyon the non-aboriginal side to understand what treaties mean, what's in them, and what obligations arise from those treaties," he said.

According to the Anishinabek Nation, treaty education kits will be made available for teachers to use in the classroom.

The author of the teacher's guide is Kelly Crawford,a member of the M'Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island.

While in the region, Minister Zimmer will speak to the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities conference in Sudburyabout the importance of a good relationship between municipalities and First Nations communities.

"There's lots of opportunities for municipalities.There's lots of opportunities for First Nations," said Zimmer, who's also the Liberal MPP for Willowdale.

"Those opportunities areavailableif we each approach the negotiation, if you will, in a fair and balanced way."