What the Town is doing
Land and Treaty recognition respond to Call to Action 45 iii: regarding Renewing and Establishing Treaty Relationships
Land Acknowledgement
Land and Treaty acknowledgements are an important first step toward helping settlers recognize and respect Indigenous history, treaty rights and connection to the land.
The Town is located on the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN). Treaty 19, also known as the Ajetance Purchase, was signed on October 28, 1818 by representatives of the Crown and Anishinaabe peoples.
To allow for treaty and land acknowledgements to be included at Council meetings, the Town held a procedural by-law workshop. Treaty and land acknowledgements have been included in all Council meetings since the June 14, 2021 Council Meeting. Additionally, select Town programs begin with verbal treaty and land acknowledgements.
The following may be used as a land acknowledgement: “The Town of Halton Hills is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, as well as the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee peoples.”
Land Acknowledgement Plaques
Land and treaty acknowledgement plaques have been installed at thirteen Town facilities and library branches. Recognizing the treaty holders is an important step toward helping settlers recognize and respect Indigenous history, treaty rights, and connection to the land.
MCFN Flag
The Town's flag policy was updated and additional flag poles installed in order to fly the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation flag permanently at the Library & Cultural Centre, Town Hall, and the Acton Arena and Community Centre.
These actions respond to Call to Action 80.
The horrific news of hundreds of unmarked graves at former residential school sites ignited a national awakening.
The Town of Halton Hills joins communities across Canada in mourning the loss of children who never returned home after being forced to attend residential schools. We recognize and honour Indigenous lives lost and the ongoing intergenerational impact that residential schools have had on survivors, families and communities.
Educating ourselves about the history of residential schools and Canada’s treatment of Indigenous peoples is important. Learning the truth is the first step towards enacting positive change.
Every Child Matters Flags and Signs
The Every Child Matters flag flies permanently at the Library & Cultural Centre, Town Hall, and the Acton Arena and -Community Centre.
Every Child Matters Signage at Town Facilities
Every Child Matters signs are posted at Town Hall and plans are underway to expand to other facilities.
Orange Crosswalk
On September 30, 2021, an Orange Crosswalk was installed at Main & Confederation Streets in Glen Williams. The crosswalk is a symbol to honour the Indigenous children who did not return home from residential schools and to show support for the survivors who did. The Orange Crosswalk was inaugurated at a public event with the participation of Gimaa Stacey Laforme of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Eddy Robinson, Halton Region’s Indigenous Advisor, Mayor, Council and Town staff, staff and students from Glen Williams Public School and community members.
Ribbon Acknowledgement
In 2021, orange ribbons were installed at the Gellert Community Centre. The Halton Hills Public Library (Acton and Georgetown branches) installed displays of multi-coloured ribbons, reflective of ribbon skirts, as part of "Ribbons to Remember". The public was also invited to add their own ribbons.
These initiatives respond to calls to Action #79, 80 & 83: Indigenous Programming, Cultural Representation and Ceremony.
Indigenous Cultural Programming
The Town and Halton Hills Public Library strive for the meaningful inclusion of indigenous programming, representation and perspectives year-round, including within the Helson Gallery and during Indigenous History Month, the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation and the annual Culture Days festival.
2025 Programming:
Interactive Drumming and Indigenous Teaching with Four Colours Drum Circle members and teachings on the Seven Grandfathers.
Onscreen at the JET presents NFB in the library: WaaPake (Tomorrow) a moving documentary by Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin that explores the enduring effects of residential schools on Indigenous families and communities.
Credit River Water Ceremony with the Credit River Waterwalkers.
We Were Children, film screening.
Anishinaabe Bird Names and Guided Walk with Joseph Pitawanakwat and Junaid Kahn of Creators Garden.
Indigenous Tea Workshop led by Mark Sault Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Knowledge Keeper.
Annual Programming
- TheREDressProject Honoring Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls:Annual installationin response to the disproportionate number of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canadaat Cultural Centre and Library Branches.
- Indigenous Art Exhibitionsfeaturing avariety of artworks from the Town art collection and pieces on loan from local collectors.
- Moccasin Identifier Project: Stencil painting of Indigenous moccasinstoweavea deeper understanding of Canada’s Treaty history through the symbol of Indigenous moccasins, connecting all Canadians to the land beneath our feet.
- Exhibitions and art including: Ishpendaagaabwi: Standing with Pride at the Helson Gallery in partnership with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and #hopeandhealingcanada, installations byMétis artistTracey-Mae Chambers
- Indigenous Film Screeningsincluding: Wilfred Buck, Run Woman Run,From Wisconsin with Love,Stories from Land Back Camp, Beans,Rosie andGrandmother's Voice: Healing the Scars of Colonialism
- The Woman who Fell from the Sky, avirtualvent with The Aunties Dandelion
- Beading Workshops with Naomi Smith,Indigenous artist,educatorand proprietor of Black Tulip Designs.
- Lectures and Talks: “We Are Still Here: TheMississaugasof the Credit” by Darin Wybenga, TraditionalKnowledgeand Land Use Coordinator, MCFN, "No Word for Art: Exploring the Indigenous Roots of Creativity" by Naomi Smith, Indigenousartistand educator, "The Importance of Indigenous Children's Literature" by Nancy Cooper a Two-spirited woman from the Chippewas of Rama First Nation
- Performance and Talk by The Red River Ramblers
Staff training and education responds to call 57 regarding Professional Development and Training for Public Servants.
Training and Learning Opportunities for Staff
As part of the Town’s efforts to contribute to the learning of staff and leadership, various learning opportunities have been provided including the Kairos Blanket Exercise.
Virtual tours of the Woodland Cultural Centre (originally called the Mohawk Institute. This former residential school located in Brantford is the closest residential school to the Town of Halton Hills), attendance at the Mississaugas of the Credit Annual Historic Gathering and the Halton Equity and Diversity Truth and Reconciliation Summit.
The Town annually sends an email to all staff prior to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange T Shirt Day encouraging staff to continue their learning journey. This message includes a list of local Indigenous events and activities and a range of accessible resources.
Support
If you need support, please call:
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Indian Residential School Survivors Telephone Support Line: 1-800-721-0066
First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-877-209-1266
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868, or text 686868