National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day to celebrate the history, diverse cultures and significant contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. On June 21 and throughout National Indigenous History Month this June, we seek opportunities for Indigenous education, and meaningful and respectful conversations with Indigenous Peoples in Halton and Canada. We also recognize the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation 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.

Indigenous Relationship Building Initiative

I’m pleased to share that on June 16, Halton Regional Council endorsed several actions as part of the Indigenous Relationship Building Initiative to build and foster reciprocal relationships with Indigenous Peoples. Council approved the following items:

• the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and Calls to Action;
• the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP);
• an Indigenous Land Acknowledgement and its uses;
• permanently flying the flag of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation at Halton Regional Centre; and
• a working partnership with Indigenous Peoples and local First Nations, Inuit and Métis Communities to establish a Halton Indigenous Advisory Group, modeled after the Halton COVID-19 Indigenous Elder Advisory Group.

Endorsing these actions to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples based on cultural understanding, empathy and respect is an essential part of Halton’s responsibility for reconciliation and commemoration. These actions are a step in the right direction, but we know that more work still needs to be done and I look forward to continuing these efforts together.

I encourage everyone to find ways to learn more about Indigenous Peoples in Halton, Ontario and across Canada. There are many ways to do this and to celebrate at home or virtually, such as:

• reading a digital copy of one the books from the #IndigenousReads reading list;
• a virtual event on June 30 at 2 p.m. organized by the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund in celebration of the diversity of Indigenous Peoples across Canada;
• various virtual Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival events throughout June, hosted by the National Association of Friendship Centres;
• the virtual exhibit at the Canadian Museum of History;
• a fun zone< for youth and children with information about Indigenous history, culture and languages through activities and stories; and
• reading important documents and exploring resources including;
  • the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Final Report and  94 Calls to Action;
  • the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and
  • the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children and its 231 individual Calls for Justice.

You can also use the hashtag #NIPD2021 and #NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth on social media to share your at-home or virtual celebration, and to find more resources and important stories online.

By celebrating this important day, we honour all Indigenous Peoples and celebrate their history, culture and contributions to making Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire.