Oshawa observes Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21
The City of Oshawa acknowledges June as Indigenous History Month, and has proclaimed June 21, 2021 as Indigenous Peoples Day. At their meeting on Monday, June 21, Oshawa City Council welcomed and received a presentation from Mary George, President of Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle which provided an overview of Bawaajigewin, the importance of Indigenous Peoples Day, and some of the needs of various Indigenous communities in Oshawa.
This year’s recognition is especially poignant, given the recent finding of the remains of 215 Indigenous children in a mass grave on the site of the former Indian Residential School on Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation land, in Kamloops, British Columbia.
The uncovering of this mass grave has prompted us to learn about and accept our shared history with Indigenous Peoples, and is compelling us all to advocate and commit to reconciliation.
Oshawa is situated on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, which is covered by the Williams Treaties and is the present day home of many First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples.
Between 2019-2020, over 200 City staff participated in Indigenous Cultural Awareness training. Throughout 2021, City staff and City Council are undergoing wide-spread anti-racism training. Indigenous Cultural Awareness training will be delivered to Oshawa City Council and further education on Truth and Reconciliation continues to be rolled out to City staff.
In addition to training, the City of Oshawa staff, in consultation with Indigenous leaders, Indigenous community organizations and the Community Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee will be preparing a proposed strategy and action plan in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call for Action and the UN Declaration of Rights for Council approval.
To view resources about Indigenous organizations in Oshawa, to learn more about the City’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan and the Community Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, visit www.oshawa.ca/diversity.
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“The City of Oshawa honours all Indigenous Peoples both past and present, for their valuable contribution to this land. We recognize the deep and lasting traumatic impact of Canada’s residential schools system on Indigenous Peoples and all have a role to play to advance the reconciliation,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “I have reached out to Indigenous leaders and Indigenous community organizations in Oshawa and I am committed to continue this outreach to have a dialogue and consultation with the goal of building relationships and gaining an understanding of what the City’s role in reconciliation should be.”