In the coming weeks, residents are “invited to participate in activities to learn more about the rich and diverse culture of Indigenous peoples and to reflect on the generational impact, trauma and oppression experienced by Indigenous peoples in Canada as a result of domestic school system.” Most events and activities take place over the next three weeks, leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. Full listings are below this story. Oakville as we know it today is rich in the history and contemporary traditions of many First Nations and Métis. From the lands of the Anishinabe to the Attawandaron, Haudenosaunee and Métis, these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in Indigenous history. City staff say: “We recognize and thank the Mississaugas of Credit First Nation for being the stewards of this area.” Various organizations including civic facilities, Oakville Public Library (OPL), Oakville Museum and others. Major events and activities for September 2022 include:
Wear an orange shirt to raise awareness of the intergenerational impact and trauma residential schools have had on Indigenous communities and make a donation to the Orange Shirt Society (available here) to support their work to commemorate home school experience and promoting reconciliation. Join a walk starting at Oakville’s first orange crosswalk at the intersection of Thomas and Church streets on Sunday, September 25 at 1:30 p.m. Join a virtual forest painting class with Ojibway two-spirit artist Patrick Hunter on Friday, September 9, from 7-9 p.m. Sign up here on the OPL website. Watch Indigenous films on the grounds of the Oakville Museum on September 23rd from 6-11pm. Presented in partnership with local community leaders, OPL and other community partners, the evening will feature Honor to Senator Murray Sinclair and Hi-Ho Mistahey! Before the film, Grandmother’s Voice and Our Kids Network will lead a bead craft activity at the Coach House, while OPL will share book recommendations based on the film’s themes. Join Christine Friday as she explores her Anishinaabek roots, first with Path Without End, a 10-minute dance documentary as we see the Friday family take back their power from Shingwauk Residential School and speak their truth in traditional tribal family hunting area. on September 30 at 8 p.m. For free tickets to the in-person or live streaming event, visit the Oakville Performing Arts Center website. Visit Oakville’s first orange crosswalk at Thomas and Church Streets, which has been painted orange in honor of the children of the residential school system. The intersection also features a cabinet cover in a Moccasin Identifier Project design with four moccasins representing the four language groups in Ontario and a permanent interpretive sign. Enjoy a walk along the Moccasin Trails and explore the history of the lands from an indigenous perspective. Follow the Moccasin Trails signs along the Bronte Creek Heritage Trail starting at Rebecca Street and Mississaga Street and along the Sixteen Mile Creek Inner Valley to Dundas Street West in the Lions Valley. Visit Tannery Park and explore the First Nations Historic Wall and Moccasin Identifier, which was constructed to promote public awareness of important cultural historic sites and the ancestral presence of First Nations, Métis and Indigenous communities. Make a traditional hairpin bracelet with Indigenous artist Naomi Smith through a virtual workshop on Saturday, October 1 from 2-4 p.m. Sign up here on the OPL website. Celebrate Indigenous culture and community through Planting Our Seeds: Resurgence of Indigenous Voices from October 5th to November 30th. More details to follow.
In addition to the activities offered by the city, the orange “Every Child Matters” flag will fly at City Hall during the week of September 26th and will be lowered to half-staff on September 30th. City Hall and the Oakville Center for the Performing Arts will also light up orange the week of September 26. For more activities and information about the City of Oakville’s Truth and Reconciliation efforts, visit the Indigenous Culture and Community website here. September 14, 2022 8:30 am
