Provincial Green leader visits Milton’s Urban Indigenous Centre
Published August 19, 2021 at 8:49 pm
Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner stopped in Milton Thursday and called on Ontario Premier Doug Ford to do more to support Indigenous communities.
Schreiner visited the new Urban Indigenous Centre and Healing Garden for Hope & Peace for Wellness.
“I’m calling on Doug Ford to institute the Indigenous curriculum writing session that he cancelled in 2018 to include more Indigenous led content and the history of residential schools,” he said.
“And to provide all necessary funding to support Indigenous-led searches for lost children at each residential school site in the province.”
Schreiner visited the centre with Grandmother’s Voice and members of the Urban Indigenous People of Halton.
“Indigenous Peoples are the original stewards of this land, and have extensive knowledge of how we can protect nature, water and care for each other and the planet,” he said.
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The Green Party Leader sat around the sacred fire and listened to Indigenous voices talk about their need to see their culture returned.
“I was moved by their experiences and saddened by acknowledging the legacy of colonialism and systemic racism that still persists to this day against Indigenous People,” Schreiner said.
The Grandmothers shared their need to create safe gathering spaces. That includes parks like memorial healing gardens for residential school survivors.
“We cannot make progress on meaningful reconciliation until the truth has been uncovered, especially with the unmarked graves being found all around the country,” the Green leader said. “Confronting the truth means educating all Ontarians about the atrocities of colonialism and the history of residential schools.
“Ontario must do all that it can to support Indigenous communities. And that starts with truth and reconciliation and requires political will to take action.”
GREEN PARTY OF ONTARIO PHOTO
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