WHITBY – Durham Region Chair proclaims National Indigenous Peoples Day as a day to reflect

Durham Regional Chair John Henry declared that National Indigenous Peoples Day is “an opportunity” for all residents to continue to learn, honour and celebrate First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities.

“We are eternally grateful for the opportunity to operate within the traditional and treaty territory of the Williams Treaties First Nations and acknowledge the Mississaugas and Chippewas Nations for their continued guardianship of the land on which Durham Region operates,” Henry said in a statement.

“I invite you to join us in celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day and encourage everyone to take time to reflect honestly on the historic and contemporary relationship with the First Peoples of this land. We continue on our path to reconciliation and embracing Indigenous ways of knowing and doing. It is our aim to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.”

To honour and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day the Region raised the Medicine Wheel flag at Regional headquarters at 10:30 a.m. The flag raising included a smudging ceremony and a performance by the Indigenous singing group Unity.

“Durham Region is committed to reconciliation not just in June, but every day.”