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Truth and Reconciliation
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 the beginning of time and still do so 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 true reconciliation.
Local Resource Guide
The following resources provide some education about Indigenous communities in Durham.
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Who is the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation? |
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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:
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What is the history of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation? |
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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. |
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Who is Bawaajigewin? |
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Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle is an Indigenous-led non-profit agency that responds to and advocates for all Indigenous people in Durham Region. |
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Who is the Métis Nation of Ontario |
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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. |
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Who is Carea? |
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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 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.
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."
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 Memorials
In 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.