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Truth and Reconciliation

HomeCity HallDiversity, Equity and InclusionTruth and Reconciliation
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Land Acknowledgment 

The City of Oshawa sits on treaty land that is steeped in rich Indigenous history and is the present day home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. We acknowledge that we live and work on land covered under the Williams Treaties, and the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the many Indigenous nations who have cared for the lands and waters from time immemorial to today.  We extend our gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to live and work on this territory.

We are committed to understanding the truth of our shared history, confronting our past and present, and building a better future together in the spirit of  true reconciliation.

   City of Oshawa's Medicine Wheel Flag Raising

Local Resource Guide

The following resources provide some education about Indigenous communities in Durham.

Who is the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation?

The City of Oshawa is located on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (M.S.I.F.N.). 

Elected Council for the M.S.I.F.N. is composed of one chief and two councillors:

  • Chief Kelly LaRocca
  • Councillor Laura Colwell & Councillor Jeff Forbes

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.

Who is Bawaajigewin?

Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle is an Indigenous-led non-profit agency that responds to and advocates for all Indigenous people in Durham Region.

Who is the Métis Nation of Ontario

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.

Who is Carea?

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

Truth and Reconciliation Resources

These resource provide information on truth and reconciliation efforts from across Canada

Report: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

In 2007, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (T.R.C.) was created to facilitate reconciliation among former residential school students, their families, their communities and all Canadians.

In December 2015, the T.R.C. released its six-volume final report. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action is a summary report that outlines 94 Calls to Action in response to the findings of the consultations with Indigenous survivors. The All Canadians are encouraged to read the summary or the final report to learn more about the unjust history of Indian Residential Schools and its lasting impact on Indigenous communities. 

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (U.N.D.R.I.P.), adopted in 2007, establishes a minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world. It also examines existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms, and determines how they apply to Indigenous peoples.

National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was created to look into and report on the systemic causes of all forms of violence against Indigenous women and girls. The National Inquiry released its final report, Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This report determines that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people. The two volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities.

More Trainings and Resources

Truth and Reconciliation at the City of Oshawa

On June 20, 2022 Oshawa City Council recognized and acknowledged the TRC’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). 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.

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© 2022 City of Oshawa

Service Oshawa
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50 Centre St. S.
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7

Phone: 905-436-3311
Toll Free: 1-800-667-4292
Email: [email protected]

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