City Commemorates The National Day For Truth And Reconciliation

Richmond Hill – In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, the City of Richmond Hill unveiled new waterway signs in the City’s parks to identify the Don, Rouge and Humber Rivers in Ojibway.

The following signs have been installed:

The City worked with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), one of Richmond Hill’s Treaty Partners, who provided the Ojibway translations of the three waterways. The signs feature artwork of three common fish species which inhabit these waterways, including the Redside Dace, Bluntnose Minnow and the Mottled Sculpin. The artwork was created by Indigenous artist Tracey Anthony.

For more information and images of the waterway signs, visit RichmondHill.ca/IndigenousPartnerships.

Richmond Hill also raised the Every Child Matters flag along with Chief Claire Sault and Councillor Erma Ferrell of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), in honour of the Survivors of residential schools and the children who never came home, as well as their families and communities.

All Richmond Hill’s Municipal Offices, library branches and Access Richmond Hill contact centre will be closed on Tuesday, September 30 to observe the Day and flags at City facilities will be lowered to half-mast. Community centres and pools will open for regular hours.

QUOTES

“The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation is pleased to see the City of Richmond Hill recognize the original Ojibway names of the Humber, Rouge, and Don waterways. These rivers have sustained our people for generations, carrying our stories, culture, and connections across the land. By honouring their names, we honour the deep relationship between the water, the land, and the First Peoples who continue to uphold our responsibilities as Treaty Partners. This initiative is a meaningful step toward reconciliation and a reminder that these waterways remain living, sacred parts of our shared environment.”

- Ogimaa Kwe Chief Claire Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

“As Richmond Hill continues to work to build meaningful relationships with Treaty Partners such as the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, I am honoured to unveil the new waterway signs in Ojibway together with the MCFN. It is important that we recognize the significance of the rivers to the history of the land as we take another step forward in further reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous Peoples. It was our privilege to work with artist Tracey Anthony in creating these beautiful works of art.”

- Mayor David West, City of Richmond Hill

QUICK FACTS

• In June, the City had the privilege of hosting the Minwaa Niinwind Dabaadjimownan: Our Story Continues Art Exhibit, at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. In partnership with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), this special exhibit showcased powerful submissions of artwork by MCFN artists that celebrate their vibrant history and culture.
• The City and Miskwaadesi Studio have partnered to create a network of Indigenous medicine gardens in Richmond Hill that will serve as living classrooms, cultural gathering spaces and help increase local access to Indigenous medicines.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

About the artist, Tracey Anthony
The artwork was created by Indigenous artist Tracey Anthony on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and the Mississaugas of the Credit reserves. Anthony’s Haudenosaunee, Mississauga (Anishinaabe), and Delaware (Lenni-Lenape) roots are heavy influences on his artwork and designs. More information about Tracey can be found at Visionartworks.ca.