The first ever Beardys and Okemasis Cree Nation Treaty Literacy Fun Night with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner was a fun, family event held Mar. 7, 2019.

“I am from the community of Beardys and attended CBMES, so it was very nostalgic to be back there at the elementary,” said Amy Seesequasis, OTC speaker’s bureau director and one of the staff facilitating the event.

About 75 staff, students and family members played games and did crafts at the Chief Beardys Memorial Elementary School.

“The Treaty Trivia games were a huge hit with all the students and it was busy all through the event,” Seesequasis said.

“They loved the opportunity to win prizes based on their Treaty knowledge.”

Along with rounds of Treaty jeopardy, kids learned about the Treaty medal, dreamcatchers, and mini-tipis through crafts.

“Parents enjoyed the opportunities to interact and learn as well; we encouraged their participation and also had fact sheets available,” Seesequasis said.

“It was an excellent opportunity to engage the parents and grandparents through activities geared towards their children/grandchildren.”

Seesequasis said while youth often learn about Treaties at school, many people in older generations were denied that opportunity.

“Through this event we wanted to have the whole family engage in activities that equipped them with knowledge and pride in their identity as Treaty people.”

The school had each classroom decorate a door or bulletin board with a theme centered around Treaties, culture and traditional knowledge. OTC staff were the judges and selected the Grade 3 class poster with the ducks talking about oral traditions and storytelling.

At the end of the night a Treaty Literacy Reading pack was raffled off. Entry to the raffle was gained by completing a session.

Seesequasis is excited to partner with other schools to host Treaty Literacy Fun Nights. They can be requested through the OTC Book a Speaker form.