Truth and Reconciliation

Acknowledging – Honouring – Acting

In Burlington, our work with the community takes place within the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and we recognize this land as being home and the traditional territory to other Indigenous people since time
immemorial.

We honour all past and present First Nation, Métis and Inuit people, and we recognize their leadership in protecting and caring for Mother Earth. We join them in honouring and respecting the land, waters, plants, animals, four directions, and all of the wonderful elements of creation that exist.

BurlingtonGreen’s Indigenous Relations Policy acknowledges that we have much to learn from Indigenous People and we encourage everyone to continually learn from and about the Indigenous community where you live, and how we can each meaningfully honour the calls to action for Truth and Reconciliation.

BurlingtonGreen also acknowledges the Urban Indigenous Action Plan. This is a plan co-developed and co-designed by Provincial Indigenous organizations and the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.  The process was informed by the voices of urban Indigenous communities and service providers across the province. This is a helpful resource that provides information about how to engage Urban Indigenous People in your plans.

The National day for Truth and Reconciliation serves as an opportunity to reflect on the “multigenerational and intergenerational trauma and marginalization in the form of poverty, insecure housing or homelessness and barriers to education, employment, health care, and cultural support” that Indigenous Peoples continue to face today. (Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, 2019)
We recognize that this is a process that should not be reserved for a single day of the year, but it is something we should actively pursue every day.

Having the opportunity to increase awareness of the residential school experience was one of the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report, which was published in 2015. Following the passing of Bill C-5 in June, 2021, both Burlington and Halton have unanimously declared September 30th as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Burlington has a rich history of many First Nations and the Métis peoples, and today the community is encouraged to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families and to remember and honour those lost while committing to the ongoing process of reconciliation.

We invite you to explore the following resources to learn more:

• Visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website to stay up to date with the latest news, educational material and more. 
• Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report and Calls to action.
• Explore the Indigenous Community and History in Burlington resource and see the steps the City of Burlington is taking to honour and support the Indigenous community.
• View Halton’s response and actions to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities.
• Read more on the “Land Back” movement.
• Sign up for the Indigenous Canada online course. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.
• Read the  Paths to Reconciliation document which outlines the reasons a collective of Urban Indigenous People of Halton began to create the space and programs lacking in our communities.
• Use this map tool to find out if you live near a residential school and hear from some of the school’s survivors.
• Visit the Burlington Library website for information on Orange Shirt Day.
• Find out whose traditional territories you are on with this interactive map.