Truth and Reconciliation
Land Acknowledgement
The City of Oshawa is situated on lands and waters within the Williams Treaties Territory, home to seven First Nation communities of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Anishinaabeg, who have cared for and maintained these lands from time immemorial and continue to do so to present day.
To access the City of Oshawa’s full version Land Acknowledgement and meaning of the word “Oshawa” visit Oshawa.ca/LandAcknowledgement.
Resource Guide
The following resources provide some education about the local Indigenous communities in Durham, assist with understanding Treaties and highlight key dates of significance across Canada.
What Treaty Territory is Oshawa Located on? |
The City of Oshawa is located on the traditional and treaty territories of the Mississauga and Chippewa Anishinaabeg that is covered under the Williams Treaties. Did you know there are seven First Nation Communities that are covered within the Williams Treaties? Michi Saagiig (Mississauga) Nations: Chippewa Nations:
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Treaties Recognition Week |
In 2016, Ontario passed the first legislation of its kind in Canada declaring the first full week of November as Treaties Recognition Week. This annual event honours the importance of treaties and helps students and residents of Ontario learn more about treaty rights and relationships. By learning more about our collective treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Treaties Recognition Week represents one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The week was launched in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action to increase treaty awareness and provide students and the public with an important opportunity to learn why treaties matter. It is important for all Ontarians to understand the role treaties play in our lives and relationships with each other today as we move forward together to advance in our journey towards truth and reconciliation. By recognition of our history and gaining understanding, we are advancing reconciliation with Indigenous people to help create equitable and respectful relationships moving forward. History of Treaties in OntarioIn 1763, King George III of Great Britain issued The Royal Proclamation, confirming the original occupancy of Indigenous peoples and paving the way for land agreements between the British Crown (government) and Indigenous peoples. The proclamation:
To learn more about the History of Treaties in Ontario What are Treaties?Treaties provide a framework between Nations for living together and sharing the land traditionally occupied by Indigenous peoples. Legally binding agreements, treaties set out the rights, responsibilities and relationships of First Nations and the federal and provincial governments. Although many treaties were signed more than a century ago, treaty commitments provide the foundation for ongoing co-operation and partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Historically, treaties originated between the British or the French and the Indigenous populations were peaceable agreements that represented mutual understanding, sharing, trading or aid. Later, treaties were signed with the purpose of Indigenous surrendering land to the Crown, however, the Indigenous people really did not have an understanding as to what they were giving away. Through miscommunication and the lack of land ownership as an Indigenous concept, most of the province had been ceded by a treaty by the time of the Canadian Confederation. Treaty rights are protected by subsection 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982 and often address the creation of reserves for the exclusive use of First Nations, and their rights to hunt, fish and trap on provincial Crown lands. Today in Canada there are approximately 70 treaties between 371 First Nations and the Crown. The treaties represent the rights of more than 500,000 Indigenous people. Ontario is covered by 46 historic and present-day treaties, which were signed between 1781 and 1930. To learn more visit the Treaty Teaching and Learning Document |
What is the history of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation? |
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. |
Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle (B.A.C.C) |
Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle (B.A.C.C) is an Indigenous-led non-profit agency that responds to and advocates for all Indigenous people in Durham Region. |
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. |
Durham Community Heath Centre (D.C.H.C) |
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. |
Truth and Reconciliation at the City of Oshawa
On June 20, 2022 Oshawa City Council recognized and acknowledged the T.R.C.’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (U.N.D.R.I.P.). Council also committed to meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous communities, using these two documents as the framework for the City’s Reconciliation efforts.
This report provides more details about Council’s acknowledgement of the Calls to Action and U.N.D.R.I.P.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The City has proclaimed September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Oshawa. This day is an opportunity for Oshawa residents to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools.
The establishment of a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is in response to the 80th call to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (T.R.C.) which calls for a day to "honour survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process."
2022 Every Child Matters Flag Raising Ceremony |
On September 23, 2022 the City of Oshawa raised the Every Child Matters flag at City Hall in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Residents were invited to pay tribute to Indigenous children who endured the residential school era by tying an orange ribbon to the memorial in Civic Square and visiting the City's Every Child Matters Memorial Garden. Honouring the Children – Orange Ribbon MemorialsIn partnership with Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle, the City of Oshawa invited community members to commemorate the children lost to residential schools and support healing in Indigenous communities by tying orange ribbons at one of the five memorials across the city. |
2023 Survivor Flag |
On September 6, 2023, the City of Oshawa will raise the Survivors' flag to honour residential school Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada, who were consulted in the flag’s creation. Read more about these elements and Survivors speaking about the significance of the flag. |
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, and Gender Diverse Individuals (M.M.I.W.G.2.S.+) Resource Section
Welcome to the M.M.I.W.G.2.S.+ Section. Below you will find great resources to help learn more, build on your understanding of this current crisis within Canada and find ways to get involved.
The images used for the posters around City Hall were taken from CBC Missing and Murdered: The Unsolved Cases of Indigenous Women and Girls
History of M.M.I.W.G.2.S.+ |
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Gender Diverse Individuals (M.M.I.W.G.2.S.+) was launched in 2016 to examine and report on systemic causes of all forms of violence against Indigenous individuals, particularly women and girls who face disproportionately high levels of violence when compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. This inquiry is a direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #41, "We call upon the federal government, in consultation with Aboriginal organizations, to appoint a public inquiry into the causes of, and remedies for, the disproportionate victimization of Aboriginal women and girls." The goal of the Inquiry was to investigate and report on the systemic causes of all forms of violence against Indigenous women and girls and to examine the underlying social, economic, cultural, institutional and historical causes that contribute to the ongoing violence and particular vulnerabilities. Through the Inquiry into M.M.I.W.G.2.S.+ there were 4 key areas addressed where systemic changes need to be implemented:
To learn more about these areas, please read the inquiry or watch this brief Video Overview to Contextualize the Inquiry into M.M.I.W.G.2.S.+ |
Purpose of the National Day of Awareness for M.M.I.W.G.2.S.+ |
Why do we have a day?May 5 has been designated as a day to pay respect to the victims, raise awareness of the crisis and call on governments to take action to address the racialized and gendered violence inflicted on Indigenous peoples in Canada. Why Red Dresses?Red Dress Day was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Project installation, in which she hung empty, red dresses to represent the missing and murdered Indigenous women. Red dresses have become symbolic of the crisis as a result of her installation. Current Concerns |
Women's Memorial March and the Day to Honour M.M.I.W.G.2.S.+ |
The Women’s Memorial March (W.M.M) is held every year on 14 February, Valentine’s Day, in cities across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States). The W.M.M started in 1992 in Vancouver, B.C, following the murder of Indigenous woman Cheryl Ann Joe. The first Women’s Memorial March began as a small memorial for Joe, but grew to become an annual march to honour all missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The Vancouver march draws thousands of people, while women’s memorial marches have spread to more than 20 cities across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States). The Day to Honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was created in response to the Women’s Memorial March, first held in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in 1992. Valentine’s Day has been chosen as a day to hold space and memorialize Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. |
Learn more about M.M.I.W.G.2.S.+ |
The Final Report of the National Inquiry led to the National Action Plan being developed to help support all levels of government and communities in their steps to reduce the dangers Indigenous Peoples face within Canada.
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Crisis Support Resources |
If you or someone you know is affected by gender-based violence, you can find support lines in your region:
Women and Gender Equality Canada's Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre maintains a searchable database of information and resources on gender-based violence:
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Ways to be an Active Ally |
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