Resource Guide

The history of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation in this territory begins around 1700 when they moved into southern Ontario from their former homeland north of Lake Huron. The Mississaugas are a branch of the greater Ojibwa Nation, one of the largest native groups in Canada.

The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation are signatories to the Williams Treaties. These treaties involved the surrender of the last large portion of the territory in the southern regions of Ontario that had not been given up to government. First Nation leaders and community members entered into these negotiations to address the issue of settlers encroaching on their traditional lands. Instead, the outcomes of these treaties were continued injustices against the First Nations including insufficient compensation, inadequate reserve lands, and the inability to freely exercise harvesting rights.

On October 29, 2012, in a case brought by the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nations, Canada and Ontario took the position at trial that harvesting rights associated with pre-confederation treaties signed by the First Nations were not intended to be surrendered in 1923 with the signing of the Williams Treaties. This position recognizes the Williams Treaties people’s constitutionally protected harvesting rights and means Williams Treaties harvesters are able to exercise rights in line with those of other treaty people in most of Ontario.

In June 2018, the Williams Treaties First Nations ratified the Williams Treaties Settlement Agreement with Canada and Ontario This agreement aims to reconcile some of the injustices of the Williams Treaties by recognizing pre-existing treaty harvesting rights for First Nations members, compensating the First Nations who were unfairly compensated in the original treaties, adding additional reserves lands. This settlement also involved formal apologies from the governments of Canada and Ontario for the harmful impacts of the Williams Treaties.

The language we use matters and some words can cause harm to people. The City of Oshawa has developed an Inclusive Language Manual to help you use language that makes everyone feel welcome and included.

With a focus on Diversity and Inclusion, we hope this tool will help identify and address forms of discrimination in language that create barriers to service and equity in the workplace. The guide also offers suggestions on what words to avoid, words you can use instead and provides opportunities to expand understanding through self-led activities. 

Language changes and this guide should reflect that. If you have suggestions, email [email protected] and let us know.

View Inclusive Language Manual 

Durham Community Health Centre (D.C.H.C) is a registered charity that provides a range of free services and programs to community members across Durham Region. DCHC offers a variety of services to support Indigenous individuals and communities.

Visit the Indigenous Programming Page on the D.C.H.C website to stay up to date on upcoming events and ways to get involved. 

Legacy of Hope is a charity that focuses on educating Canadians on the inter-generational impacts of the Residential School System, the Sixties Scoop, Day School and other means of cultural oppression against Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities. 

Métis Nation of Ontario, Oshawa and Durham Region Métis Council

In 1993, the Métis Nation of Ontario (M.N.O.) was established through the will of Métis people and Métis communities coming together throughout Ontario to create a Métis-specific governance structure. Prior to 1993, Métis had been involved in pan-Aboriginal lobby groups and organizations. The M.N.O. was not created to represent all individuals and communities that claim to be Métis, but those individuals and communities that are a part of the Métis Nation.

The Oshawa and Durham Region Métis Council is the Charter Community Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario in Durham Region.

The Woodland Cultural Centre (W.C.C.) is located in the former Mohawk Institute Residential School and is one of the largest museums in Canada managed and administered by First Nations. The W.C.C. serves to preserve, promote and strengthen Indigenous language, culture, art and history; bringing the story of the Hodinohsho:ni people of the Eastern Woodlands to life through innovative exhibitions and programs. As an organization with historic expertise and strong community connections, W.C.C. has a key role to play in knowledge and learning through its program offerings, including museums, language, education, library and arts. 

Learn More About W.C.C.'s Programs