Understanding Our Treaties

image of people around a table working together holding hands

The Understanding Our Treaties is a The Gordon Foundation featuring a resources and learning materials about treaties in Canada and their impact on our lives.

The Gordon Foundation also created and offers Treaty Simulations that provide hands-on learning where participants experience the realities of negotiating and implementing a modern treaty. The Understanding Our Treaties website compliments the Treaty Simulations and deepens learning and understanding,

What is a Treaty Simulation?

The Gordon Foundation can help coordinate and run Treaty Simulations in collaboration with communities, schools and local treaty experts. Participants are divided into teams representing Canada, a province or territory and an Indigenous Nation and are guided by experienced advisors as they present their positions and negotiate to reach an agreement.

Contact The Gordon Foundation to host a Treaty Simulation in your community.

Yukon-specific resources

Mapping the Way was one of many that partnered with the Gordon Foundation in 2020 to develop the Understanding Our Treaties and helping to further learning about existing treaties with First Nations in the Yukon.

Yukon-related resources include:

  • Yukon Educator Toolkit for Treaty Simulations in classrooms (See preview of toolkit). Contact the Gordon Foundation to get full access to the online toolkit.

  • A collection of videos called Treaty Talk featuring Yukon negotiators and those implementing the Agreements sharing their treaty experiences. There are also interviews with the Yukon's emerging leaders sharing their experiences of participating in the Treaty Simulations. (see "Our Resources" section below) 

  • A video on the history of the Yukon's modern treaties (see "Our Resources" section below).

It's about Reconciliation

The initiative is a key part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and plays a significant role in implementing the rights affirmed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Return to the different collections

Our Resources

The History of Modern Treaties in the Yukon
The History of Modern Treaties in the Yukon
Watch an animated timeline of Modern Treaties in the Yukon featuring negotiators and those who are implementing the Agreements today.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Shelby Blackjack
Treaty Talk | Shelby Blackjack
Shelby talks about her unique position as a Yukon First Nation citizen working for the Yukon Government and shares how youth can get involved in their governments and their treaties.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Pamela Muir
Treaty Talk | Pamela Muir
Hear Pamela discuss how modern treaties establish a platform for the relationship between the treaty parties, as well as the challenges sometimes faced during implementation.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Beverly Sembsmoen
Treaty Talk | Beverly Sembsmoen
Listen in as Bev tells us why youth should get involved with their treaties, and how they can get started. She also shares her desire for youth to learn from their Elders while they still can.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Dave Joe
Treaty Talk | Dave Joe
Hear from Dave about his experience as an Expert at the 2019 Yukon Regional Simulation. Dave also shares how modern treaties impact youth, why they should get involved, and how they can get started.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Tony Penikett
Treaty Talk | Tony Penikett
Take it from Tony, the Yukon Umbrella Final Agreement is important. Also, listen for Tony’s take on why youth need to get involved in their treaties, and he even shares some ways for them to get started.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Kim Smarch
Treaty Talk | Kim Smarch
Dans cette vidéo, Mme Smarch explique pourquoi les traités modernes sont importants pour elle.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Robin Bradasch
Treaty Talk | Robin Bradasch
Robin explains what implementation is really about and shares how modern treaties impact youth in the Yukon.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Ed Schultz
Treaty Talk | Ed Schultz
Listen in as Ed explains the role of youth councils as a platform for youth to participate in decision making and learn leadership skills.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Brian MacDonald
Treaty Talk | Brian MacDonald
Listen in as Brian shares about the Government of Yukon’s role in modern treaties, as well as how these agreements recognize rights and include young people in the process.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Stephen Mills
Treaty Talk | Stephen Mills
Stephen shares how modern treaties are a path forward, discusses the Yukon Government’s role in negotiations, and encourages youth to seek out mentor relationships.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Geri-Lee Buyck
Treaty Talk | Geri-Lee Buyck
Get the scoop on Treaty Simulations from Geri-Lee and find out why she thinks youth need to participate in treaty work.
Watch
Treaty Talk | Sheena Johns
Treaty Talk | Sheena Johns
Listen in as Sheena explains some practical impacts of modern treaties on youth and how implementation can be interesting and exciting!
Watch
Treaty Talk | Kris Statnyk
Treaty Talk | Kris Statnyk
Kris encourages young people to learn about their agreements and then use that knowledge to get involved directly and indirectly with implementation of those modern treaties. He also shares the importance of maintaining connection to the land.
Watch