Truth and Reconciliation

The City of Oshawa is located on the traditional territories of the Chippewa and Mississauga 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:

1. Scugog Island First Nation 
2. Alderville First Nation
3. Hiawatha First Nation
4. Curve Lake First Nation

Chippewa Nations:

1. Georgina Island First Nation
2. Beausoleil Island First Nation
3. Rama 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 is an Indigenous-led non-profit agency that responds to and advocates for all Indigenous people in Durham Region.

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.

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.

2022 Every Child Matters Flag Raising Ceremony

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. 

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two Spirit and Gender Diverse Individuals (MMIWG2S+) 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 MMIWG2S+ there were 4 key areas addressed where systemic changes need to be implemented:

1. Calls for Justice for All Governments
2. Calls for Justice for Industries, Institutions, Services and Partnerships
3. Calls for Justice for All Canadians
4. Calls for Justice specific to Inuit, Métis, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ 

To learn more about these areas, please read the inquiry or watch this brief Video Overview to Contextualize the Inquiry into MMIWG2S+

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

• Multiple Indigenous women's bodies found in Winnipeg landfill
• Housing crisis and MMIWG
• Starlight Tours

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.

• Final Report into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirited plus Individuals
• Four Thousand Cover Stories
• National Action Plan 2022
• National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
• Our Sisters in Spirit Documentary
• Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

If you or someone you know is affected by gender-based violence, you can find support lines in your region:

• Crisis lines for those affected by gender-based violence
• Additional support services for those affected by gender-based violence

Women and Gender Equality Canada's Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre maintains a searchable database of information and resources on gender-based violence:

• Federal resources for Women and Gender Equality 
• Provincial and territorial resources for Women and Gender Equality 

• Amnesty International 10 Ways to Be a Genuine Ally to Indigenous Communities
• Dr. Lynn Gehl Ally Bill of Responsibilities
• Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. 7 Tips on Building Relationships with Indigenous Peoples
• Support Grassroots led movements The Moose Hide Campaign