Council has decided not to host the planned Canada Day Providence Bay Fireworks Display on July 1, 2021 as a show of solidarity by standing together with the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising (UCCMM) for the lost and missing indigenous children in Canada.
A press release from the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising http://www.uccmm.ca/news--notices.html and in full below asked "our neighbours not to celebrate Canada Day. Instead we ask them to educate themselves on the true history of Canada and to support us in our mourning by wearing an orange shirt to commemorate the lives of all our children. We also encourage you all to stand together with us in holding the Government responsible and addressing the historical injustice."
In response Council made a motion at the Office and Administration Committee meeting Tuesday June 22,2021 and passed it in Council Thursday June 24, 2021
210-2021 MOTION: Scott and Tribinevicius That Council directs the Discovery Centre Board to delay holding the planned July 1st, 2021, Canada Day fireworks display as a show of solidarity by standing together with the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising for the lost and missing indigenous children in Canada and further that the Discovery Centre Board choose another day for the fireworks display……………carried.
UCCMM PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2021
Statement on Canada Day
M’Chigeeng, ON - The discovery of the lost children in Kamloops and at other former residential schools is shocking. At the same time, it is not surprising for Indigenous peoples, including the Anishinaabe of Mnidoo Mnising. It is just one of the many horrors brought on by Canada’s colonialist policies.
Canada Day cannot be a day of celebration for us. It is instead a day of profound sadness for us. We are in mourning for the Indigenous children killed by Canada’s system.
Canada Day is a painful reminder of the harm Canada has done and continues to do to Indigenous peoples and Indigenous children. Even today Canada continues its colonialist policies – including by fighting against the fair and equitable treatment of Indigenous children and by failing to provide Indigenous communities access to safe drinking water.
Despite the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated the residential school system and its impacts, a large majority of Canadians say they were mostly unaware of the harm caused by Canada’s residential schools until the discovery in Kamloops.
This must change.
We, the Anishinaabe of Mnidoo Mnising, ask that Canadians to use Canada Day to educate themselves about the residential school system and its impacts. We encourage them to start by reading the Report of Truth and Reconciliation Commission and thinking about how they can work to implement the Commission’s Calls to Action.
We ask our neighbours not to celebrate Canada Day. Instead we ask them to educate themselves on the true history of Canada and to support us in our mourning by wearing an orange shirt to commemorate the lives of all our children. We also encourage you all to stand together with us in holding the Government responsible and addressing the historical injustice.
Media Contact:
Chief Patsy Corbiere, Aundeck Omni Kaning FN
UCCCM Tribal Chair
Phone: (705) 282-4883