Indigenous Relations Programs
The Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations advances reconciliation through Indigenous knowledge education, research, community collaboration, and environmental stewardship. Guided by leading Indigenous scholars and knowledge holders, the Academy fosters understanding and respectful relationships grounded in over 13,000 years of Indigenous presence in Niagara.
Current Events
We extend to you this year a very special invitation. At the Valour & Victory Honouring Indigenous Veterans event being held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 7 in Queenston Heights Park, we will also be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Memorial!
Remembering those whose contributions preserved freedom during the War of 1812 while honouring Indigenous veterans and service members active today, reaffirms the alliances that inspired the Memorial’s creation, and the establishment of other related installations throughout the Niagara Peninsula.
Please join us for this special occasion. Your presence will help us recognize an extraordinary milestone while looking ahead to the next decade of education, remembrance, relationship-building, and Indigenous presence in Niagara. Everyone is welcome! And although not mandatory, it helps us to prepare if you RSVP your attendance by clicking on this link:
Annual Programs
Indigenous Niagara Outstanding Achievement Awards
The Indigenous Niagara Outstanding Achievement Awards celebrate and recognize influential leaders who have a positive impact on the Indigenous Niagara community along both sides of the Niagara River and the Niagara Escarpment. These awards align with the principles and attributes that define the highest standards for Indigenous excellence across six categories: Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Intellectual Advancement, Language and Culture, Empathic Traditions, and the Two-Row Alliance, which supports Indigenous peoples. The notable Outstanding Achievement Awards serve as an esteemed honour, distinguishing those who exemplify Valour & Victory within the community. They highlight the quality and quantity of exceptional Indigenous individuals and allies who are advancing relations through initiatives like the Indigenous Roundtable in the region.
Valour & Victory: Honouring Indigenous Veterans
The Battle of Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812, represented a remarkable demonstration of historic alliances that trace back generations, marking a crucial moment in the formation of a nascent country whose borders and identity were being challenged and defined. In acknowledgment of the invaluable contributions and sacrifices made by the Six Nations and Native Allies in their support of British and Canadian forces, securing victory at significant events like Queenston Heights during the War of 1812, we continue our important annual service, 'Valour & Victory: Honouring Indigenous Veterans.' This event not only pays tribute to those who fought for our freedom but also includes the esteemed Indigenous Roundtable and the Outstanding Achievement Awards, highlighting the strength and peacemaking skills that defined these veterans.
Past Programs
Niagara Roundtable Conference
The Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum welcomed a significant message from His Majesty King Charles III recognizing the inaugural Niagara Roundtable Conference and the enduring importance of the Silver Covenant Chain of Friendship between the Crown and Indigenous nations.
The message, sent by The King on behalf of himself and Queen Camilla, offered “heartfelt greetings” to the historic gathering of the Niagara Roundtable and drew particular attention to Niagara’s important place in the history of Crown-Indigenous relations.
“It was at Niagara, over 250 years ago, that the Silver Covenant Chain of Friendship was extended across the Niagara River into the Great Lakes region,” The King stated, noting that the relationship had first been forged with his forebear, King Charles II. His Majesty described that historic relationship as one that has evolved into the friendship he now cherishes with Indigenous peoples across Canada.
The King also referenced receiving a replica Covenant Chain wampum from the Mississauga Nation following his Coronation. The wampum is now displayed in his Chapel Royal, The King’s Anishinaabek Sacred Place, in Toronto.
For the two partner organizations that developed the Conference, the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations and the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, the message carries particular significance because the Niagara Roundtable was established to examine the long and consequential history of relationships among Indigenous nations, newcomers, governments, institutions, and communities throughout the Niagara region and across Canada.
“The King’s recognition of the Silver Covenant Chain is profoundly relevant to the work of the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations,” said Rick Hill, the organization’s vice president. “The Covenant Chain was never intended simply as an idea of the past. It represented an ongoing relationship requiring attention, renewal, reciprocity, and mutual responsibility. The knowledge holders and scholars who presented at the Roundtable revealed — in detail — numerous instances throughout history in which the Covenant Chain was referenced, understood, and affirmed by all parties involved.”
Held September 19 in the Upper Canada Hall at the Pillar and Post Conference Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Niagara Roundtable brought together First Nations leaders with Indigenous knowledge holders, scholars, historians, researchers, educators, cultural leaders, and a wide variety of organizational professionals to examine the dynamics and realities of Indigenous relations extending back some four centuries.
Providing welcoming remarks to the prestigious assemblage, centred on the theme of advancing the Covenant Relationship and Reconciliation, were MP for St. Catharines Chris Bittle, MP for Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake Tony Baldinelli, and MPP for Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and Niagara-on-the-Lake Wayne Gates. From the Municipal governance level, attending the Roundtable Conference was Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake Gary Zalepa.
“We were honoured to partner with the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations in hosting the Niagara Roundtable and are so encouraged by the attendance in the room and the knowledge shared by the presenters,” said Amy Klassen, executive director of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum. “Museums have an important role to play in reconciliation by listening to Indigenous knowledge keepers, creating opportunities for people to learn and unlearn alongside us, and building respectful relationships with Indigenous communities. In Niagara, this also means understanding the history and ongoing significance of the Covenant Chain and the responsibilities it represents.”
Among the subjects explored by eighteen presenters were: Treaty Relations; John Norton’s Relations with Colonial and Imperial Authorities; The Silver Covenant Chain in the 21st Century; Anishinaabek Wampum Belts and the Covenant Chain Relationship; Matriarchal Roles and Indigenous Women in Leadership; the Historic Relationship Between the Mohawk Nation and Palatine German communities; Joseph Brant and Diplomatic Relations in Upper Canada; Haudenosaunee Land Tenure; Intimate Relations and Blended Families of Niagara; Museums and their Indigenous Relations; Haudenosaunee Ecological and Diplomatic History of “The Wilderness,” and Place-Based Learning within Historic Landscapes.
The King’s message closely reflected the principles underlying the Roundtable. His Majesty expressed the hope that the gathering would continue “for years to come” to promote dialogue founded upon “respect, reciprocity and nation-to-nation relationships.” He further observed that these relationships extend to the land and water and embrace all forms of life on Turtle Island and beyond.
The message concluded with a powerful affirmation of the value of bringing people together to learn from these histories and teachings: “I believe that such gatherings as this one, and the teachings they will inevitably convey, will inform and compel us further along the path of reconciliation.”
“The significance of those words cannot be overstated,” said Tim Johnson, president of the Niagara Academy. “Reconciliation requires more than acknowledgement. It requires knowledge of the relationships that came before us, an understanding of the commitments embedded within them, and a willingness to renew those relationships in ways that have meaning in the present. That is precisely why we created the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations and how the Niagara Roundtable will serve as an important educational launch pad for a variety of programs in the future.”
The Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations intends the Niagara Roundtable to become an ongoing forum for scholarship, Indigenous knowledge, professional development, public education, and meaningful dialogue concerning the historic and contemporary relationships that have shaped Niagara and Canada.
Indigenous Niagara Outstanding Achievement Awards 2026
With resounding applause, powerful music, and deeply moving stories, the 2026 Indigenous Niagara Outstanding Achievement Awards (INOAA) unfolded in a highly engaging event. Now in its seventh year, the awards continue to honour those shaping the Indigenous cultural, educational, and artistic landscape across the Niagara region — including this year, a very special recognition honouring an organization with a century of advocacy.
From accomplished artists to nationally celebrated scholars, creators, and civic leaders, the Awards presented a stellar lineup that highlighted the extraordinary achievements of professionals across six categories including: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Intellectual Advancement, Language and Culture, Empathic Traditions, and Two-Row Alliance. In addition, a seventh category was created for this year, entitled the Special Service Distinction Award. The 2026 INOAA recipients are as follows:
Visual Arts: Chief Arnold Jacobs
An Onondaga Turtle Clan artist and condoled Confederacy Chief from Six Nations of the Grand River whose work over three generations has secured the persistence of Haudenosaunee identity through imagery involving classic stories, symbols, and metaphors.
Performing Arts: Joshua Arden Miller
Born and raised in Six Nations of the Grand River, this award-winning Bear Clan Onondaga musician, who has been working professionally since the age of 14, is known for being a popular band leader throughout the Niagara Region and has performed on national and international stages to great acclaim.
Intellectual Advancement: Dr. Alan Corbiere
A Ruffed Grouse Clan Anishinaabe from M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island, he served in numerous knowledge-based roles, earned a PhD, holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Indigenous history, and currently serves as an Associate Professor in the History Department at York University.
Language and Culture: Tahnee Bennett
A Turtle Clan Mohawk from Six Nations of the Grand River, who, as a mother, daughter, sister, auntie, and Kanyen'keha (Mohawk language) enthusiast, she is a public-school teacher who has dedicated herself to the revitalization, preservation, and sharing of the Kanyen’keha language.
Empathic Traditions: Fallon Farinacci
A proud Red River Métis from St. Eustache, Manitoba, she is a child survivor, advocate, and public speaker for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, as well as others of diverse orientations and gender identities who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to preserving, promoting, and embodying values of empathy, ethics, and compassion.
Two-Row Alliance: Mayor Wayne Redekop
A municipal leader who has been engaged closely with the Indigenous community including involvement in initiatives to promote local access to health, and primary and urgent care services, protecting the Town’s natural and cultural heritage, supporting inclusion and diversity, and for creating partnerships and strategic alliances, including those with Indigenous peoples.
Special Service Distinction
Given to the Indian Defense League of America, an extraordinary organization now in its 100thyear of operation, that has served as a consistent reminder to Indigenous peoples and nations of their inherent national sovereignties, of their Treaty Rights to cross the “recently” established international border, and of the enduring responsibilities of governments to recognize and respect those rights. Receiving the award on behalf of the entire organization were, from the western side of the Niagara River, Shirley Squire and Amber Squire — and — from the eastern side of the River, Marilyn Isaacs and Mary Ann Maracle.
The evening opened with a Thanksgiving Address by Karl Dockstader, followed by remarks from Niagara College Vice President Dr. Chris McGrath and Leah Hogan, Director of Indigenous Education.
Interspersed throughout the program were musical performances by celebrated Indigenous artists, including 2ndLine Bluegrass, Joshua Arden Miller, James Wilson, and LyonsDen Rez Muzik (Brook Lyons). The 2026 Awards also marked a milestone in the program's growth — thanks to the generosity of eleven sponsors from diverse sectors.
Sponsors included: Barry and Laurie Green Family Trust (Title Sponsor); Niagara College and its Indigenous Education Unit (Venue Sponsor); James A. Burton & Family Foundation (Two-Row Alliance and Operational Sponsor); Meridian Credit Union (Financial Institution Sponsor); Brock University (Intellectual Advancement Sponsor); City of St. Catharines (Municipal Sponsor); Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (Language and Culture Sponsor); Six Nations House (Visual Arts Sponsor); Gail Lord and Lord Cultural Resources; Nancy J. Coombs; and Rick Hill.
Publishing
From the outside, the Mohawk Institute appears to be a large and welcoming school building. However, when one delves deeper behind the bricks of the school, a significantly different story unfolds. Conceived and overseen by Six Nations community member Richard W. Hill Sr., Behind the Bricks is an essential work that offers profound insight into the Mohawk Institute, Canada’s first and longest-running residential school, which operated from 1828 to 1970 in Brantford, Ontario. Many view the Mohawk Institute as a model for the broader residential school system, and its exploration in this book is vital for understanding this complex history.
Behind the Bricks unites Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts, reflecting on pivotal themes such as the Indigenous Roundtable's advocacy for truth and reconciliation. The book begins with an overview that traces the history and context of the school, while the remaining chapters explore a wide array of subjects, including student experiences, archaeology and architecture, the role of religion, and more, drawing upon a rich variety of sources from government documents to church records and oral histories.
Additionally, Behind the Bricks scrutinizes the policies and motivations that influenced the experiences of all three parties involved with the school: the government, the church, and the students along with their communities. This thorough and thoughtful narrative provides crucial insight into over a century of institutional operation. Behind the Bricks stands as an essential work that not only sheds light on the Mohawk Institute but also reflects on the entire residential school system, ultimately aiming for a future rooted in truth and reconciliation.
Edited by Richard W. Hill Sr. (Niagara Academy Vice President), Alison Norman, Thomas Peace, and Jennifer Pettit, this book has been recognized with Outstanding Achievement Awards for its contribution to understanding this important aspect of Canadian history, paralleling themes of Valour & Victory in the face of adversity.
This publication documents a series of extraordinary artworks created by R. G. Miller (Mohawk/Wolf) during 2003-2008, commemorating his experience of incarceration as a child in the Mohawk Institute Indian residential school from 1953 to 1964. These artworks tell his survival story, reflecting on what the Mohawk Institute was, the events that transpired there, and how he has coped with those experiences ever since. They are unsettling to view because the reality of what happened to him in residential school is disturbing. These paintings serve as a testament to truth in art.
The title for the exhibition of these artworks, given in the Mohawk language by Diane Hill, a fellow survivor of the Mohawk Institute, encapsulates the essence of healing and resilience. The Mohawk language was forbidden at the residential school, and R. G. Miller never had the opportunity to learn it. 'Tsi Non:we Entewaha’hara’ne' translates to 'Our Path Forward,' symbolizing the journey toward healing, growth, and the collaborative path taken by all peoples placed together by the Creator on Turtle Island. In this context, Non-Natives are also finding healing through the shared memories expressed through R. G. Miller's artistic gifts. The use of Mohawk language in this project and publication represents important moves of survivance, aligning with the values celebrated at events like the Indigenous Roundtable and the Outstanding Achievement Awards.
The publication features contributions from several authors, including Neil Keating and Richard W. Hill, Sr. (Niagara Academy Vice President), with support from the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations, echoing themes of Valour & Victory in surviving and thriving against adversity.
The Exhibit Guidebook for the Mohawk Institute is available through the Woodland Cultural Centre. Established in 1828, the Mohawk Institute began as a day school for a small group of youths from the Six Nations of the Grand River. Over time, it evolved into Canada’s first Indian Residential School, reaching its peak by accommodating over 200 children from various Indigenous communities across Ontario, Quebec, and beyond. The Institute remained operational until its closure in 1970.
In 1898, John Brant-Sero and Alexander Hill noted that the Mohawk name for the Institute is Kanadagonh, meaning 'In the settlement or village', which is linked to the name of the Mohawk Village, Kanadagonkenha, or 'Old settlement', where the Institute is located.
The current building, constructed in 1904 after a devastating fire destroyed the previous structure built in 1859, serves as a poignant reminder of the experiences that unfolded here.
Since 1971, it has operated as the Woodland Cultural-Education Centre, but the building fell into severe disrepair. In 2013, after deep reflections by the Six Nations of the Grand River community, a decision was made to preserve the evidence of the Institute's history. The first initiative was to raise funds for the Save-The-Evidence campaign aimed at rehabilitating the deteriorating facility.
The subsequent phase, taking more than a decade, involved extensive renovations to restore the building to a habitable condition. This process included modernizing utilities while retaining much of the original structure as it was at the time of closure in 1970.
The third phase focused on designing, fabricating, and installing the interpretive heritage exhibitions, which commenced in 2018 and are now showcased across four floors of the Institute. These efforts highlight the legacy of Canada’s oldest Indian Residential School, contributing to the broader conversation at events like the Indigenous Roundtable and recognizing achievements through initiatives like the Outstanding Achievement Awards.
We invite you to immerse yourself in our exhibition and explore the profound history and legacy of the Mohawk Institute, a testament to Valour & Victory in the face of adversity.
Edited by Richard W. Hill, Sr. (Niagara Academy Vice President), Tim Johnson (Niagara Academy President), with a Preface by Heather George and design by David Beyer (Niagara Academy Associate).
Deyohahá:ge:, meaning 'two roads or paths' in the Cayuga language, evokes the Covenant Chain-Two Row Wampum, often referred to as the 'grandfather of the treaties.' This significant Haudenosaunee wampum agreement exemplifies how Indigenous people and newcomers can cultivate peace and friendship by honoring each other’s cultures, beliefs, and laws as they share the river of life.
Written by members of Six Nations and their neighbors, this book not only introduces readers to the 17th-century history surrounding the Dutch and British participation in the wampum agreement, but also explores how these teachings might restore good relations today. Many Canadians and Americans remain unaware of the Covenant Chain or Two Row Wampum, yet 200 years of neglect have not erased this important covenant. It is crucial for us all to learn about this foundational wampum, as it is making a resurgence in our communities, institutions, and courthouses—providing a pathway towards a promising future.
The authors of Deyohahá:ge: examine the eco-philosophy, legal evolution, and ethical protocols of two-path peace-making. They nurture the sacred, ethical space that many of us navigate between these pathways. Furthermore, they illustrate how individuals today foster peace, friendship, and respect—literally—on the river of everyday life. This dedication resonates with themes celebrated at the Indigenous Roundtable, such as the Outstanding Achievement Awards, recognizing acts of Valour & Victory in the pursuit of reconciliation.
Edited by Dr. Daniel Coleman (Niagara Academy Associate), Ki’en Debicki, and Bonnie M. Freeman.
Daniel Coleman, a retired English professor from McMaster University and associate of Niagara Academy, expresses gratitude for residing in the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe in Hamilton, Ontario. He collaborated closely with numerous Indigenous scholars to produce this study of the wampum covenants that form the foundation of Indigenous relations. In his work, Grandfather of the Treaties, Coleman examines the founding agreements established between the earliest European settlers and the Haudenosaunee, which are significant in the context of the Indigenous Roundtable discussions. Additionally, this study aligns with the values celebrated at the Outstanding Achievement Awards, recognizing milestones in Indigenous relations. The themes of Valour & Victory are also prominent, reflecting the strength of Indigenous communities throughout history. Foreword by Niagara Academy Vice President Rick Hill (Tuscarora), a citizen of the Beaver Clan of the Tuscarora Nation of the Haudenosaunee at Grand River.
A new edition of the book, Toronto: The First 13,000 Years, has been thoroughly updated to the present time, reflecting new archaeological findings and current understandings about Indigenous history and culture. This edition also addresses changes in ideas related to public history, environmental concerns, and practices. Edited and co-authored by Ron Williamson (Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations Associate), the book will feature beautiful visual content, including historical artworks and photographs. The first chapter is penned by Rob MacDonald (Niagara Academy Associate), and the land acknowledgement was provided by Richard W. Hill Sr. (Niagara Academy Vice President). This release also aligns with the mission of celebrating achievements within the Indigenous Roundtable, and it echoes the spirit of the Outstanding Achievement Awards, emphasizing the themes of Valour & Victory. Additionally, coming within the year, to be published in association with Mohawk College, will be an updated and expanded version of the book Journey of Self-Discovery: Reflections on Building Indigenous Relationships.