June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day to celebrate the diverse history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. June 21 is also the summer solstice, which marks an important time in Indigenous Culture as it has traditionally been a day for celebrations and ceremonies to recognize the longest day of the year. We also recognize the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) (external link) as the treaty holders on which Halton resides, and all Indigenous Peoples living within the Region as well as First Nations, Inuit and Métis Communities.
As part of our efforts towards Reconciliation in Halton, Regional staff have been working to build and foster meaningful and reciprocal relationships with Indigenous Peoples, Communities and First Nations based on cultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect. In June 2021, Halton Regional Council also endorsed permanently flying the MCFN flag at Halton Regional Centre and a Land Acknowledgement Statement was developed in consultation with MCFN.
Relationship Agreement with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
On June 20, 2022, Ogimaa R. Stacey Laforme from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and I signed a Relationship Agreement, formalizing the ongoing work to build a constructive, collaborative and mutually respectful relationship between Halton Region and the MCFN. The Relationship Agreement will help Halton Region and the MCFN achieve the shared objectives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) (external link) final report and Calls to Action, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) (external link). It will also help identify areas of mutual concern and interest, as well as establish and support shared understanding and ongoing conversations.
Building meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples, Communities and First Nations, including the MCFN, is an important part of Halton’s responsibility for Reconciliation and commemoration. By signing this Relationship Agreement, we help ensure that this work continues for years to come and that our relationship is based on cultural understanding, empathy and respect.
I encourage everyone to watch the recording of the Relationship Agreement signing ceremony (video) and to explore the details included in the Relationship Agreement (external PDF). For more information about Halton’s ongoing work to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous People and Communities, please visit halton.ca.