Statement from the Mayor on Indigenous History Month and Indigenous Peoples Day
The City of Oshawa acknowledges June as Indigenous History Month, and has proclaimed June 21, 2023 as Indigenous Peoples Day.
The City of Oshawa is situated on lands covered under the Williams Treaties and the traditional and treaty territory of the Michi Saagi and Chippewa Anishinaabeg which includes the Mississauga First Nations of Scugog Island, Curve Lake, Alderville and Hiawatha, and the Chippewa First Nations of Georgina Island, Rama and Beausoleil.
I also recognize that other Nations have had a history in this area including the Huron Wendat and the Haudenosaunee peoples.
Today, Oshawa is home to over 5,000 First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples. I am truly grateful for the many Nations who have been caretakers of the land and waters across Turtle Island from time immemorial and continue to do so today.
In recognition of our combined pasts, the City of Oshawa is committed to taking action to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
I was pleased to attend a celebration earlier this month in Civic Square, which included teachings from traditional singers and dancers from many Indigenous Nations.
It is also fitting that this month, City Council committed to renaming Bagot Street, recognizing the impacts that the recommendations of the Bagot Report had on the development of residential schools in this country. The City will be working in collaboration with Indigenous communities to find a new name for this street.
The City is committed to strengthening a partnership with Indigenous Peoples built on truth, dignity, and mutual respect, and acknowledges that as treaty people, we all have a role to play to advance the reconciliation process.
To view resources about Indigenous organizations in Oshawa, learn more about the work the City is doing in regard to Truth and Reconciliation, the City’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan and the Community Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, visit Oshawa.ca/diversity.