The Legal Centre to close Friday to recognize National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
The Peterborough Community Legal Centre (PCLC) will be closed on Friday, September 29th, 2023 to recognize Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Peterborough, also known as Nogojiwanong (the place at the end of the rapids) in Anishinaabemowin language, is located in the territories of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabe. It is also located in a region that is subject to Treaty #20 (1818) and the Williams Treaties (1923).
At this time, we wish to acknowledge the ongoing care and defense of the land by Indigenous Nations recognizing the land as the source of all life and health.
In particular the nations of the Land Defense Alliance (Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation (Grassy Narrows), Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake First Nation), Wapekeka First Nation, and Neskantaga First Nation) who are challenging the mining of the “Ring of Fire” region of Northern Ontario and the opposition of The Chiefs of Ontario to the Greenbelt land swap.
The Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action call for the adoption of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which centres Indigenous rights to their lands.
At this time we remind the Provincial Government to adopt and respect the UNDRIP and reconsider these destructive and colonial projects.
Events:
Friday, September 29th, 2023 2 pm – 6 pm at Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre (580 Cameron St)
Orange Shirt Day: Sacred fire & Tobacco Offerings, Kid & Adult Craft Activities, Community Booths, Orange Shirt Day Info Stations.
NCTR Truth and Reconciliation Week 2023
https://nctr.ca/education/coming-soon-truth-and-reconciliation-week-2023/
Background Resources:
The story of Orange Shirt Day (September 30th)
https://www.orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story.html
Calls to Action, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, 2015
https://nctr.ca/records/reports/
https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
Beyond 94 – a website tracking fulfilment of the Calls to Action https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform-single/beyond-94?&cta=1
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Read https://justice.gc.ca/eng/declaration/read-lire.html
Video https://justice.gc.ca/eng/declaration/video2.html
Treaties (https://native-land.ca/)
The Williams Treaties
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/williams-treaties
Two Row Wampum – Gaswéñdah
https://www.onondaganation.org/culture/wampum/two-row-wampum-belt-guswenta/
“… The belt has two purple rows running alongside each other representing two boats. One boat is the canoe with the Haudenosaunee way of life, laws, and people. The other is the Dutch ship with their laws, religion, and people in it. The boats will travel side by side down the river of life. Each nation will respect the ways of each other and will not interfere with the other.”
Williams, Doug. Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg: This is our Territory. ARP Books (https://arpbooks.org/product/michi-saagiig-nishnaabeg/)
If you are Indigenous, a residential school Survivor or a family member of a survivor in need of emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 1-800-925-4419.