Truth and Reconciliation

City of Pickering Initiatives and Community Events

Thursday, September 22, 2022 (4PM – 10PM) – Re-installation of the Commemorative Orange Crosswalk

The City of Pickering will re-install its commemorative orange crosswalk at the intersection of Valley Farm Road and The Esplanade North. Designed by Jon Colwell, artist and proud member of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, the new crosswalk will feature seven eagle feathers to represent the Seven Grandfather Teachings and the Highest Honour given to Indigenous children. Community members and staff who self-identify as Indigenous to Turtle Island are invited to apply glass beads as a protective coating for the crosswalk at 5:30PM. All community members are welcome to observe the installation process.

Sunday, September 25, 2022 (10AM – 12PM) – Community Memorial and Installation Launch, Esplanade Park

Community members are invited to join a public memorial in Esplanade Park featuring poetry and storytelling by Indigenous community leaders, including Jo-Anne McKenna, a survivor of the Mohawk Institute Residential School System. The Indigenous Relationship Building Circle will also launch a month-long interactive installation featuring a special mosaic of orange fabrics. Orange fabric will be distributed at City Hall and Pickering Public Library (Central Library).

Monday, September 26, 2022 (10AM) – ‘Every Child Matters’ Flag Raising at Pickering City Hall

The “Every Child Matters” flag will be raised in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day.

Reflect and Take Action

In 2020, the City of Pickering adopted a multi-year Indigenous Relationship Building Action plan that focuses on establishing meaningful and intentional relationships with diverse Indigenous communities. This led to the formation of the Indigenous Relationship Building Circle (IRBC) as a local network of Indigenous residents, Indigenous-led organizations and allies that come together to provide guidance and leadership on communities initiatives that honour the contributions, history and cultures of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples.

Members of the IRBC currently include representation from the Indigenous Learning Circle, Oshawa Durham Region Metis Council, Bawaajigewan Aboriginal Community Circle, Carea Community Health Centre, Durham District School Board, Durham College, Ontario Tech University and PFLAG Durham Region. The IRBC is still in its formative stages and welcomes Indigenous community members and allies to join future gatherings.

For more information about current events and initiatives, please visit pickering.ca/irbc, opens a new window.

Let's Talk Pickering: Children of the Residential School System

This digital story space invites the community to leave words of condolence, support, personal anecdotes, photos, or any information, knowledge or resources that may be helpful to those impacted by the on-going reported discoveries of children's remains at Canadian residential school sites. To view the conversation or to join in, visit: letstalkpickering.ca/children-of-residential-school-system, opens a new window

External Learning Tools

First Nations Child & Family Caring Society: Indigenous Knowledge Portal

The Indigenous Knowledge Portal (IKP) offers 'a searchable database and related links that provides access to a variety of annotated literature reviews, reports, guides, films, booklets, studies, journal articles and presentations all related to Aboriginal children and families in Canada and similar countries. The Caring Society follows OCAP principles and provides open access to all the documents included'. To browse the content, visit: fncaringsociety.com/ikp, opens a new window.

Specific to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action, the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society published the 'Spirit Bear's Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action' document. Per the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, 'this booklet is written by Spirit Bear as a youth-guide to the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action'. To view or download a copy, click here, opens a new window.

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)

In November 2021, the City of Pickering, Rotary Club of Pickering, Honouring Indigenous Peoples, and the Pickering Public Library collaborated to host a virtual community screening of Aboriginal Peoples Television Network's "First Contact" series followed by an intimate panel discussion with Indigenous Elders, Alice Williams and Anne Taylor. To access and view the entire First Contact series, visit aptn.ca/firstcontact/, opens a new window.

The First Contact series, produced by Winnipeg-based Animiki See Digital Productions, Nüman Films, and Indios Productions, takes six Canadians, all with strong opinions about Indigenous people, on a unique and compelling 28-day exploration of Indigenous Canada. It is a journey that will turn their lives upside down, challenge their perceptions, and confront their prejudices about a world they never imagined they would see. This exploration will change the participants’ lives forever, and will undoubtedly add to the national conversation on Indigenous issues and reconciliation.