Fall Harvest draws more than 500 students

Students across the Rainy River District are getting an opportunity to learn more about Indigenous ways of life.

They took part in Seven Generation Education Insitute’s annual Fall Harvest.

The event provided an opportunity for students to learn about Treaty 3 through a variety of interactive stations.

“Fall harvest is about two things,” says Robert Horton, Anishinaabemowin Coordinator and Instructor.

“Number one is sharing the knowledge, the accurate understanding of Manidoo Mazina’igan, which is Treaty 3.”

“Number two, self-sufficiency. In more traditional times, the fall season, harvesting and preparing for the winter was going on. And this is to not only learn about our protected rights, but to use them and to keep these traditions alive.”

Horton says each station is conceptually linked to all the protected treaty rights.

Stations included bannock making, medicine teachings, a language teepee and teachings of the Treaty and the residential school system.

Schools from across the Rainy River District take part.

Members of the area’s Metis community showcased their traditions.

Horton says a record 500 students were expected to participate over the two-day event.

“I think it’s really important, says Horton, of having young people involved.

“Treaties are the bedrock of Canada. And Treaty 3, just like every one of our treaties, it belongs to me as well as it belongs to you. Whether you’re Anishinaabeg or you are a mainstream Canadian, these treaties are yours because we all benefit from them.”