Oakville residents invited to commemorate anniversary of signing of Treaty 22
Published February 10, 2023 at 4:17 pm
The Oakville community is being invited to take part in the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation’s Acts of Allyship campaign and help celebrate Treaty Day by participating in several planned events.
Local residents can join members of Gimaa (Chief) R. Stacey Laforme’s Ally Leadership Council in commemorating the 203rd Anniversary of the signing of Treaty 22 on Feb. 28.
“Allyship is not an end, it is a beginning,” said Gimaa Laforme. “An understanding that must welcome all. A voice for the future, for our people, for our children, for our planet.”
Launched at Sheridan College during Treaty week in November, the Acts of Allyship and Grateful Treaty Person campaign is a community-based initiative like Random Acts of Kindness, encouraging individuals and organizations to engage in actions to propel reconciliation forward throughout the community.
Acts of Allyship encourages residents to sign the online commitment form and download the Grateful Treaty Person Toolkit, an online learning resource, in preparation for Treaty Day.
“Governments won’t fix racism or enable true reconciliation. It has to be the people of Canada who do the work and make it happen,” said Debwewin Advisory Council Lead, Elder Peter Schuler. “I think that community to community, people to people is the way to go.”
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Residents can join more than 15 organizations who have signed the online Commitment to Truth & Allyship or those who have created their own, including Sheridan College, the YMCA of Oakville, Oakville Public Library and the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, and share Acts of Allyship online.
“The Foundation is pleased to share a new report, “Friendship, Peace and Respect for All Future Generations: Oakville-based treaty relationships between the Mississaugas and the Crown”, which explains the original intent of the Treaties, outlines the shared history between the communities of Oakville and the Mississaugas, and explores why the Mississaugas are no longer in Oakville,” says Wendy Rinella CEO of Oakville Community Foundation.
“We are grateful to the Oakville Public Library for hosting the event, the report author and many advisors as well as the sponsors for supporting this report including RBC, the Larry and Gerry Wilson Family Fund and the Kenny Family Foundation.”
A local Treaty Day event will be held at Oakville Public Library’s Central Branch. The report’s author, Emma Stelter, MCFN’s Governance and Policy Analyst, and MCFN’s Debwewin Lead Georgia LaForme will discuss the main themes of the report and respond to questions from attendees.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to become an Ally by signing the Acts of Allyship Commitment Form.
On March 4th, local community representatives will be traveling to MCFN where a feast and performances will take place.
The community treaty celebration will feature Juno Award winning singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark, with special performances by Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton’s Steel Pan Drummers and Calypso Singers and ArtHouse Hip-Hop Dancers.
Selected poets from the recent post-secondary Allyship Poetry contest will be showcased. Mohawk chef Tawnya Brant of Top Chef Canada will cater the event.
The March 4th event is open to all people living or working on the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Residents of Oakville will have the opportunity to watch the performances virtually.
The Foundation is also providing copies of the Mocassin Identifier Kits to all Oakville Elementary schools leading up to Treaty Day. Check the Debwewin website for other local events.
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