Town of Caledon marks National Truth and Reconciliation Day

September 30, 2021 -- The Town of Caledon is proclaiming September 30, 2021 as National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

A flag-raising ceremony with Mayor and Council will mark the occasion, as well as the following initiatives meant to support Caledon’s commitment to Indigenous people.

Mayor Allan Thompson released the following statement:

Here in the Town of Caledon we are marking the very first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in a number of ways.

At our Town Council meeting on Tuesday, September 27 Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Chief, Stacey Laforme, shared some thoughtful words with us.

Today at 9 a.m. we raise the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation flag at Town Hall.

And from tonight through to Friday, Town Hall will be lit up with orange lights!

This will serve as a symbol to our residents and communities that we recognize the histories of our Indigenous people here in Canada and we are committed as municipal partners to working towards reconciliation.

I am proud that we are building a strong relationship with Chief Laforme and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations.

It started in 2018 when I was honoured to present the Chief with a Wampum Belt as our promise to work together and be stewards of the land together.

On October 20, 2021 we are hosting a Council to Council meeting with Mississaugas of the Credit and it will be live-streamed on caledon.ca/agenda.

The meeting will feature a smudge ceremony, storytelling and a further commitment to collaboration and consultation.

On a personal note, I just completed a course on Indigenous Cultural Competency, and I have to say that I learned so much and feel richer for having that knowledge.

I believe that if every Canadian took time to better understand our history through the lens of our indigenous people, we would move closer to true reconciliation in this country. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Mayor Allan Thompson (holding the flag of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation), along with, L to R, Councillors Johanna Downey, Cristina Early, Nick de Boer and Lynn Kiernan.

PHOTO CAPTION: Caledon Town Hall, illuminated in orange light (evening)

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Media contact:

Stacey Abbott
Manager, Communications
905.584.2272 x. 4076 | stacey.abbott@caledon.ca  
www.caledon.ca | @YourCaledon