A Treaty Guide for Torontonians is an illustrated book created by the Talking Treaties Collective (Ange Loft, Victoria Freeman, Martha Stiegman, and Jill Carter) for the 2022 Toronto Biennial of Art.

A Treaty Guide for Torontonians is “an artful examination of the complex intercultural roots of treaty relationships in the place we now call Toronto. Scholarly and historical research is complemented by outdoor activities, theatrical pursuits and contemporary writing prompts that help readers explore the modern-day subjective and physical embodiment of treaty relations. This combination of art-based research and Toronto specific knowledge inspires an active approach to treaty awareness through embodied learning tools.”

For what ages are the embodied learning tools appropriate? “I think this depends upon the activity and the involvement of the parent,” says Professor Jill Carter, a member of the Talking Treaties Collective and faculty member at the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies; Transitional Year Programme and Indigenous Studies. “For instance, there are activities that ask one to playfully vocalize historic speeches. So, perhaps, such an activity might be suitable for 10+.”

A number of the activities can be done by young families. Professor Carter explains: “Activities such as the personal cosmography are suitable for all ages (if parent/caregivers) are involved. When I first facilitated this activity, young families (with children as young as three-years-old) did this activity together. Mapping and drawing activities are easily done this way.

“Activities such as ‘How to Share Stuff’ are also suitable for people of all ages. In fact, I think they would serve as a catalyst for some wonderful conversations between family members, while the older family members can act as ‘secretaries’ documenting the ideas of the younger members.”

Explore the newly launched Treaty Treaties website.