DRPS raise Medicine Wheel Flag at all stations to honour National Indigenous Day
Published June 21, 2021 at 4:39 pm
The Medicine Wheel Flag was raised today at all Durham Region Police (DRPS) sites to honour National Indigenous Peoples Day.
The custom-made medicine wheel flag was raised at Regional Headquarters on June 1 to honour Indigenous History Month. It was raised and then lowered to half-mast in memory of the 215 children whose remains were discovered at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School earlier that week.
“Our hearts go out to all of the families that have been impacted by this, and we recognize the importance of the truth being uncovered in order for there to be real reconciliation with Indigenous people across Canada,” DRPS said in a statement.
June has been declared National Indigenous History Month since 2010. In cooperation with Indigenous organizations, the Government of Canada chose June 21, the summer solstice, for National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day. For generations, many indigenous peoples and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on or near this day due to the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.
Throughout the month of June, Canadians recognize and celebrate not only the historic contributions of Indigenous peoples to the development of the nation, but also the strength of present-day Indigenous communities and their promise for the future.
“The DRPS acknowledges that many Indigenous Nations have longstanding relationships, both historic and modern, with the territories upon which our police buildings are located. Today, this area is home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island (North America).”
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“We acknowledge that Durham Region forms a part of the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, the Mississauga Peoples, and the treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. It is on these ancestral and treaty lands that we teach, learn and live.”
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