Review: A Treaty Guide for Torontonians

A Treaty Guide for Torontonians by Ange Loft
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was excited to get this book because it fills in a substantial gap in my understanding of the history of the city in which I live: Toronto. So often, the history we hear is the history of the settling of the area by Europeans, but, here, is a focus on the peoples who lived here before Europeans came. When that story is told, the history of Toronto (and of the rest of Canada) becomes much richer and more complicated.

The aim of this book is to chart the various treaties between the First Nations who lived in the Toronto area and between, first, the French and the Dutch, then the British. The story isn't a pretty one. From the disruption of the Wendat in the 17th century, to the proxy wars between the Haudenosaunee and the Anishinabek peoples, but, ultimately, to the various treaties, especially the Toronto Purchase, 'negotiated' with the British, the picture is disruption and, on the part of the settlers, dishonesty. The book charts this relationship, based on documents we have and the experience of the peoples living in this area and brings it up to date to chart the various efforts by, especially, the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Haudenosaunee to pursue their land and water claims.

As a teacher, I also appreciated the large numbers of activities ranging from field trips to activities which more vividly and physically bring the meaning of the Land we live in. That is, ultimately, the centre of this book- the Land, our relationship with the land, the peoples and non-humans in this place now. As someone about to teach the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Studies English course in the spring, those activities are a great source of ideas to link my students to their own city.

I would say anyone living in Toronto should read this book, if only to understand how we got this land that we live on and to appreciate the responsibilities that places on us. Very much work reading!

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