Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that the Town of Newmarket is located on the traditional territories of the Wendat, Haudeno-saunee, and the Anishinaabe peoples and the treaty land of the Williams Treaties First Nations and other Indigenous peoples whose presence here continues to this day.
We thank them for sharing this land with us. We also acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our close neighbours and friends, and we work to ensure a cooperative and respectful relationship.
Newmarket Honours Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30
The Town of Newmarket, in collaboration with our Indigenous partners are inviting the community to come together to remember and reflect, as we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2024.
"September 30 will be a tremendously meaningful and significant day in Newmarket and throughout our country," says Newmarket Mayor John Taylor. "On this day, and everyday, we need to remember and reflect on our past - the very painful and tragic history of the residential school system and the unimaginable impact this has had on Indigenous communities. We need to continue to come together to do more, do better and to create a path forward with Truth and Reconciliation leading the way."
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action (numbers 62-63) speak to the significance of education as the key to reconciliation.
National Truth and Reconciliaton Day - September 30, 2024
What: Join us for an inspiring and impactful presentation as the National Director of I Am Compelled, Crystal Lavallee, teams up with esteemed Dr. Wilton Littlechild. Dive into the heart of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, explore the legacy of Indian Residential Schools, and learn where we stand as a nation today. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a powerful journey towards understanding and reconciliation.
When: Monday, September 30, 2024 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Where: NewRoads Performing Arts Centre (505 Pickering Crescent)
September 30 is also Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Residential Schools and remembers those who did not. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. Please remember to wear orange on September 30 to raise awareness of the very tragic legacy of residential schools, to honour the thousands of children whose lives were lost, and those who survived but continue to experience the trauma to this day.
The Town of Newmarket remains strongly committed to our journey of Truth and Reconciliation. In 2020, Newmarket installed a permanent land acknowledgement plaque at the Municipal Offices to demonstrate appreciation to all Indigenous people for sharing the Newmarket lands with the community. The land acknowledgement plaque serves as a permanent reminder that Newmarket sits on the traditional territories of the Wendat, Haudeno-saunee and the Anishinaabe peoples and treaty land of the Williams Treaties First Nations and other Indigenous people.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action (numbers 62-63) speak to the significance of education as the key to reconciliation.
Learn more here:
Learn more about Bill-C15 here:
Learn more about the treaties, treaty relationships and treaty rights that shape Ontario. Includes lesson plans and guides:
Read a copy of the Chippewa-Williams-Treaty, signed at Georgina Island on October 31, 1923 Click here to check it out Page 2 outlines a surrender of their rights to harvesting (fishing, hunting and trapping rights).
Brief History of Residential Schools
18791879 Nicholas Flood Davin's report, Industrial Schools for Indians and Half-Breeds, advised the Federal Government to create residential schools for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children.
"If anything is to be done with the Indian, we must catch him very young. The children must be kept constantly within the circle of civilized conditions."
Read a full copy of the original "Confidential" report here. Report on industrial schools for Indians and ha... - title page - Canadiana Online
18831883 Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald authorized the creation of the residential school system.
Learn more here:
Residential schools operated throughout Canada with the exception of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Click below for the map of Residential Schools in Canada. 2039_T&R_map_nov2011_final.pdf (trc.ca)
19071907 Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce, Chief Medical Officer for Canada's Department of the Interior and Indian Affairs (1904–21), revealed that Indigenous children were dying at alarming rates. Learn more here:
Duncan Campbell Scott, Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs in Canada. "I want to get rid of the Indian problem. I do not think as a matter of fact, that the country ought to continuously protect a class of people who are able to stand alone... Our objective is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department."
duncan_campbell_scott_information_sheet_final.pdf (fncaringsociety.com)
19741974 The Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) was founded with the collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit women. NWAC is an aggregate of thirteen Native women's organizations from across Canada, and was incorporated as a non-profit organization.
The Native Women's Association of Canada Residential School Fact Sheet includes an additional timeline of residential schools and has identified 38 intergenerational impacts on Aboriginal people who attended the residential school system. Residential-Schools-Fact-Sheet.pdf (nwac.ca)
May 2021May 2021 The remains of 215 children were found buried at a former B.C. residential school. Learn more here.
Stories of Residential School Survivors
Learn more here
National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month
National Indigenous History Month is a time for us to honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It's also a chance for us to learn about Indigenous communities today.
Visit the Elman W. Campbell Museum - Tuesday to Saturday
Celebrate the unique histories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people. See our collection of Indigenous artifacts, Metis reproduction artifacts and Inuit sculptures.
Visit us in person at the museum and learn more about Indigenous history at newmarket.ca/museum
Where can I learn more about Indigenous people in Canada?
You may have learned about Indigenous people in Canada in school. If you haven't yet, Indigenous people in Canada include First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI). With so much to learn — from traditions to art — where do you start? Here's a list of some amazing resources, including books, games and activities for families and children.
Ways to Celebrate:
The Royal Proclamation of 1763The Royal Proclamation is an important piece of British legislation that explicitly states that Indigenous title has existed and continues to exist, and that all land would be considered Aboriginal land until ceded by treaty.
- It is referenced in section 25 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which became law in 1982.
- The Proclamation is still valid today, as no legislation specifically overrides or repeals it. Learn more here: Royal Proclamation, 1763
- Section 35 of the 1982 Constitution Act was written to reaffirm the rights of Indigenous peoples. Learn more here: Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982
View a full copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms here: Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
TRIGGER WARNING: Difficult Subject Matter
24 Hour National Survivors Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419.
Canada's first Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald said in 1887, after the residential schools began to operate, "The great aim of our legislation has been to do away with the tribal system and assimilate the Indian people in all respects with the other inhabitants of the Dominion as speedily as they are fit to change."
How well do you know the Indian Act? Learn more here: Indian Act | The Canadian Encyclopedia
The residential school system operated in Canada between the Government of Canada and the Church. More than 150,000 children were sent away to these schools. View the timeline of the Kamloops Residential School and a series of events and dates that are significant to the development, experience and legacy of residential schools in Canada.
Timeline here IRSHDC (ubc.ca)
