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June 21, 2023
As we continue to celebrate June as National Indigenous History Month, today we mark National Indigenous Peoples Day: a day we honour the history, heritage, culture, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across the country. Today also holds great spiritual significance as the longest day of the year, Summer Solstice, bringing forward a new season of life.
Mississippi Mills is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe (Algonquin) People. Unceded means the territory was never given to the Crown through a treaty or other agreement. Indigenous Peoples have lived on these lands for thousands of years.
The Mississippi River was an important route for seasonal harvesting, fishing and trade. In 1763, the Crown promised that this area would remain Anishinaabe Territory. A short twenty years later in 1783, the British ignored this commitment and encouraged the settlement of Loyalists. In 1822, the British sold much of the remaining Anishinaabe Territory across the Ottawa Valley. This was done without consultation with the Anishinaabe People, who never surrendered claim to these lands.
There are ways we can all raise our understanding of colonization and its ongoing effects, and gain a deeper understanding of our local and national history. The Seven Gifts public art installation, a special Bicentennial project, is one step we can take together to learn more about the history and culture of Indigenous Peoples. Led by our local Truth and Reconciliation group, Mississippi Mills All My Relations, the project is being realized through Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working together.
Mississippi Mills All My Relations has a fundraising campaign underway to raise $130,000 needed to complete the project. Approximately $91,000 has been raised so far. The push is on to raise the remaining funds and all donations are welcome.
These levels of support will be recognized on a plaque in the park:
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$250 (Friend)
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$2,000 (Donor)
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$5,000 (Sponsor)
To donate, visit www.mmallmyrelations.ca/seven-gifts/.
The Seven Gifts serves as inspiration to learn and rebuild important relationships with our Indigenous friends and neighbours. I encourage us all to take meaningful steps in our journey toward Truth and Reconciliation, not just on this day, but all 365 days of the year.
To learn more about the work of Mississippi Mills All My Relations, visit www.mmallmyrelations.ca.
For information about Indigenous arts, culture, heritage, organizations and additional learning resources, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1621447127773/1621447157184.
Mayor Christa Lowry
Municipality of Mississippi Mills
