Indigenous Group Promotes Comprehensive Learning on Wabanaki History

An Indigenous educational organization in New Brunswick is urging the public to engage more deeply with local Indigenous history and culture. The Three Nations Education Group is advocating for a shift in focus from a single day of reflection on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation to a more sustained exploration of the historical context and contemporary relevance of the treaties signed between colonial powers and the Wabanaki people in the 18th century.

In advance of the national observance on September 30, the group distributed a release encouraging educators, students, and community members to visit their website. The Three Nations Education Group, founded in 2009 by the First Nations at Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church), Neqotkuk (Tobique), and Elsipogtog (Big Cove), has developed educational materials aimed at fostering understanding of the treaties and the cultures of Indigenous communities.

For over a decade, this group has collaborated with Indigenous elders, educators, and community leaders, in partnership with the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. They have created over 27 classroom-ready treaty education lessons for students in Grades 3 to 6. These lessons are designed to “go beyond narratives of colonial harm” by emphasizing the wisdom of the Peace and Friendship Treaties, the rich tapestry of Wabanaki languages, and cultural practices that continue to thrive.

Andrea Trenholm, who leads the Treaty Education Project, highlighted the need for comprehensive education. “Truth and Reconciliation must mean more than focusing on residential schools for one day a year,” Trenholm stated. “By learning about the treaties that remain in effect today, students and teachers can explore both the beauty of Wabanaki cultures and the ongoing impact of colonialism in our country.”

The organization’s website offers a wealth of resources, including curriculum links, background notes for teachers, engaging activities for each lesson, maps, videos, and interactive animations. These materials aim to deepen understanding of the Peace and Friendship Treaties, which were signed in the 1700s between the British Crown and the Wabanaki Nations—comprising the Wolastoqewiyik, Mi’kmaq, Peskotomuhkati, Penobscot, and Abenaki.

Distinct from other treaties in Canada, the local agreements did not involve land surrender. Instead, their purpose was to end hostilities, maintain peace, and allow both Indigenous and British peoples to preserve their respective ways of life.

Warren Tremblay, the executive director of the group, emphasized the importance of treaty education in shaping identity and fostering understanding. “With Treaty Education, we are teaching students that we are all Treaty people,” Tremblay said. “This is knowledge that strengthens identity for Indigenous students and builds understanding and empathy for non-Indigenous students.”

As the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation approaches, the Three Nations Education Group encourages a broader engagement with Indigenous history that goes beyond a singular day of reflection, fostering a deeper understanding of the ongoing relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.