THUNDER BAY — The first Sunday of November kicks off Treaties Recognition Week across the country.
In Thunder Bay, students at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute had the opportunity on Tuesday to hear from Nicole Richmond, an Indigenous woman whose public speaking career has spanned the province and has spoken about Anishinabek law, treaty agreements and other Indigenous values and concepts.
Richmond is a lawyer by day but prioritizes this week to be able to speak to students.
"I've been practicing [law] for a long time. I've had lots of experience, and it's good for [students] to see themselves reflected in an unconventional lawyer who wears ribbon skirts and who's a powwow dancer and who talks about Indigenous nation-building," Richmond said.
She said the main reason she does this is to offer a different perspective.
Hailing from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Pic River First Nation), Richmond enjoys feedback from students at her presentations.
"I feel really validated and really excited when students, especially younger women, come to me and they say 'I didn't understand and now I know better' or 'I didn't, I have never seen anyone like you and now I have,' or when people can see connections between indigenous culture or Nishnabe legends or world view and their own particular worldview," Richmond said.
Eryn Genno, a Grade 10 student at Westgate also originally from Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation, really enjoys seeing Indigenous representation in the school.
"I feel it makes me feel strong and proud as an Indigenous person," she said, adding she pushes classmates to participate in Indigenous culture events at the school.
Treaties Recognition Week continues until Saturday.
