The Legal Centre to close Monday to recognize Orange Shirt Day and National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
The Peterborough Community Legal Centre (PCLC) will close on Monday, September 30th, 2024 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, and territories included in Treaty #20 (1818) and the Williams Treaties (1923).
To mark the day, we share two Linked-In messages posted by Anne-Marie Langan, Peterborough Community Legal Centre’s Project Manager/Lawyer – Sexual Violence Projects:
Something to consider as we approach Truth and Reconciliation Day is that, as noted by the Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment,
“Indigenous peoples in Canada are more likely to experience intergenerational trauma due to historical violence and their experiences in childhood and this may also lead to greater risk of intimate partner violence in adulthood (Heidinger, 2021). In addition to these unique experiences of violence, Indigenous women are also more likely to experience violence or abuse at the hands of a perpetrator that is not an intimate partner, as seen in the growing cases of Indigenous women and girls who have gone missing or been murdered in Canada. Six in 10 Indigenous women (or 63%) have reported experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime by either an intimate or other perpetrator, compared with only 45% of non-Indigenous women (Heidinger, 2021)”.
If we want true reconciliation, we need to address this as a community!
And:
As we approach Truth and Reconciliation Day you may be asking yourself what difference can one person make for those who are still suffering as a result of the intergenerational trauma experienced by their family members? This article by the Ottawa Rape Crisis Center gives several suggestions including:
- Donate to an organization that supports Residential School Survivors, like the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, Minwaashin Lodge, or Tungasuvvingat Inuit.
- Register for the free Indigenous Canada course through the University of Alberta.
- Encourage your friends and family members to sign up, so you can learn alongside each other.
- Read the 94 Calls to Action made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Write a letter to your local MP to express your support for implementing them.
Please consider engaging with the resources provided and checking out some of the events going on around town.
Events:
Maker Space Mural, Niimikaage: she/he dances for a purpose, by Anishinaabe artist Josh Morley
September 27 from noon to 1 p.m., launch and celebration of the https://artspaceptbo.ca/maker-space-mural-project
5th Annual Mnoominkewin (Wild Rice) Gathering
Saturday, September 28th, Sunrise Ceremony at 7 am
All Day and into the Night
Curve Lake First Nation Lime Kiln Park / Pow Wow Grounds
https://www.mnoominkewin.com/
Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre Orange Shirt Day
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Monday, September 30th from 1 to 4 pm
580 Cameron Street, Peterborough
“Please join us for an afternoon of reflection:
- Sacred Fire in the Wigwam
- Video Booth
- Crafts and Activities throughout the Afternoon
- A Take-away lunch (ltd numbers)
For more info:
705-775-0398
https://www.nogofc.ca
https://www.facebook.com/NogoFC/
National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation: Truth and Reconciliation Week 2024
https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/
October 10, 2024, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Just Get Over It: Exploring Stereotypes, Biases and Racism Between Indigenous Peoples and Settlers
Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St. North)
https://calendar.ptbolibrary.ca/default/Detail/2024-10-10-1030-Just-Get-Over-It-Exploring-Stereotypes-Biases-and-
October 17, 2024, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Indigenous Bilingual Story Time (For children)
Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St. North)
https://calendar.ptbolibrary.ca/default/Detail/2024-10-17-1600-Indigenous-Bilingual-Story-Time
October 17-22, 2024, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Secret Path Film viewings
Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St. North)
https://calendar.ptbolibrary.ca/default/Detail/2024-10-17-1000-Secret-Path-Film
Some Resources:
Here are a few resources shared with us by Indigenous Services Department and the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Office of Legal Aid Ontario.
Honouring our stories Part II featuring multimedia artist Jay Soule aka CHIPPEWAR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNnglGSMf-8
Shame and Prejudice: Artist Kent Monkman’s story of resilience
Kent Monkman speaking about an exhibition of his work in 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxQ4c7mIuOM
The Journey Home: A film by the Kenora Chiefs Advisory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD2F-t-CjfY
Mary Two-Axe Early: I am Indian Again
“Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again shares the powerful story of Mary Two-Axe Earley, who fought for more than two decades to challenge sex discrimination against First Nations women embedded in Canada’s Indian Act.”
https://www.nfb.ca/film/mary-two-axe-earley/
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.