*Please see below a news release issued by the Region of Halton.
The Regional Municipality of Halton
For Immediate Release
June 21, 2022
On June 20, 2022, Halton Region and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) signed a Relationship Agreement, formalizing the ongoing work to build a constructive, collaborative and mutually respectful relationship. Regional Chair Gary Carr and Ogimaa R. Stacey Laforme from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation signed the Relationship Agreement at Halton Regional Centre. Representatives from the MCFN were also in attendance.
“Our journey of friendship and respect based on our treaty relations will give us the foundation to do good for all our people.” – Ogimaa R. Stacey Laforme, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
“Building meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples, Communities and First Nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation—the Treaty Holders of the territory in which Halton Region sits—is an important part of Halton’s responsibility for Truth and Reconciliation. By signing this Relationship Agreement, we help ensure that this work continues for years to come and that the relationship is based on cultural understanding, empathy and respect. Chimiigwetch. Thank you to Ogimaa Laforme for your continued support.” – Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr
Halton Regional Council endorsed the Relationship Agreement at their June 15 meeting. The Relationship Agreement will help Halton Region and MCFN work towards achieving the shared objectives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) final report and Calls to Action, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
The Relationship Agreement will also be helpful in identifying areas of mutual concern and interest, as well as establishing and supporting shared understanding and ongoing conversations. MCFN has met numerous times with Regional staff to share their history, culture and heritage. Halton Region’s Land Acknowledgement was developed in consultation with MCFN and the MCFN flag is flying permanently at Halton Regional Centre. These important steps are helping to educate and increase cultural knowledge and understanding in the Regions’ journey of relationship building.
For more information on the Relationship Agreement, Halton’s ongoing work to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous People and Communities and to watch the recording of the Relationship Agreement signing ceremony, please visit halton.ca.
MAYOR MEED WARD’S TAKE:
I am in full support of The Relationship Agreement and very happy it was unanimously endorsed at Halton Regional Council earlier this month. Halton Region and the City of Burlington are continuing to do all we can to implement the objectives relating to municipalities laid out in the 94 Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission — and we will continue to strongly advocate to the upper levels of government in Ontario and Canada to do the same with the Calls to Action that relate to their government tier.
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*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist.
