Parents, students and allies arrived at the Toronto office of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) Thursday morning because Six Nations schools still aren’t receiving the necessary funding and supplies guaranteed under treaty agreements.

Under Article 91, Section 24 of the British North America Act of 1867, the federal government has education funding responsibilities.

“And that means all of us are affected,” said Steve Watson, retired staff member, Canadian Auto Workers Union. “Not just Six Nations people. Not just indigenous people.”

Teachers and parents are photocopying supplies because the curriculum ordered last spring still hasn’t arrived.

By the time I arrived at Queen’s Park, the metal barricades were set up around the front of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario building.

In less than half an hour, students from Bramalea Secondary School would stage a protest against Bill 115, the Putting Students First Act, that freezes teachers’ wages for two years and prevents them from striking.

In response, teachers cancelled all extracurricular activities at Bramalea Secondary and some other schools around the province. 

The Grade 12 students I spoke to told me how important extracurricular activities are to students at Bramalea Secondary.

“We’re known for our sports,” said one student. 

777 Bay Street. College Park. Shops. Dining. Even an Irish Pub Ale House. And the home of the British Consulate-General.

The Anti-Colonialist Working Group unfurls their banner on the sidewalk in front of the building. That’s as close as they’ll get to the Consulate office - located in Suite 2800 -  on Thursday evening. 

The police and the RCMP have made that unmistakably clear.

As commuters make their way home at the end of another working day, the banner waves in the light breeze pushing across College Street in Toronto. 

Most sneak a quick glance at the sign without breaking stride. Others ignore it altogether. Some take a flyer. A few even stop and chat.