On June 21, 2021 at 5:30 a.m., the City of Toronto will present a virtual program to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. The event will honour Indigenous traditions and culture, as well as provide an opportunity for community healing, while continuing to follow COVID-19 restrictions and public health guidelines. Mayor John Tory will also issue a proclamation for the day.
The City’s National Indigenous Peoples Day virtual event will be available starting at 5:30 a.m. here . The video will remain posted and be available online any time.
As the City celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day, it also acknowledges the pain, sadness and trauma facing the Indigenous community following the discovery of 215 children buried at a former residential school in Kamloops in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation territory.
The sacred and personal nature of Sunrise Ceremonies means the actual ceremony will not be filmed. For this year’s virtual event, Elders Jimmy Dick and Marie Gaudet will guide viewers through a virtual tour of the ceremony space and share elements of what the ceremony entails. The virtual event will also feature greetings from Mayor Tory and Chief R. Stacey Laforme of the Mississaugas of the Credit, as well as songs from hand drummer Folashade Kortee.
National Indigenous Peoples Day and Month is a time to celebrate the resilience of all Indigenous peoples, as well as their vibrant and distinct cultures. The City encourages all residents to take time to educate themselves about Indigenous histories, strengths and important contributions throughout the month of June and beyond.
The City remains committed to advancing truth and reconciliation across all Divisions of the Toronto Public Service and the city at large. It is working closely with the Indigenous Affairs Office and Indigenous partners to fulfill its commitments to Indigenous peoples, as well as implement the City’s Eight Priority Calls to Action. This information and their current status can be found here
Quotes:
“National Indigenous Peoples Day is an important celebration of the heritage, diversity and valued contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. This year, as we continue to mourn all the children who never returned home from residential and day schools, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing truth, justice and reconciliation at the City. While we cannot gather together in-person once again this year, this virtual Sunrise Ceremony event will be a meaningful, informative and healing way to learn about the significance of Indigenous traditions and culture.”
– Mayor John Tory
“The Mississaugas of the Credit thanks the City of Toronto for including us in this year’s National Indigenous Peoples Day virtual event. Given the discovery of the children on the grounds of former residential schools, my message is different this year. This is a moment in the life of this country that will determine how we go into the future. Let us choose the path of understanding, peace, friendship and unity. Let this moment of sorrow be a light that guides us to a better path.”
– Chief R. Stacey Laforme of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
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