Urban Indigenous Strategy

December 2016 to December 2017

• Review reports and research.
• Promote and participate in community events.
• Raise awareness of this new work within the Indigenous community and with all Hamilton residents.
• Establish governance and guiding principles.
• Community members will be brought together to provide advice (a partnership circle), and drive the work (a coordinating circle).

January to August 2018

• Engage the Indigenous community and the broader public in Hamilton on the strategy using the themes of Land, People and Spirit
• Continue community conversation around reconciliation.
• Work with partners and youth to develop a project identifier
• Provide a survey to collect community input on what actions the City can take in the Strategy.    

September to December 2018

• Analyse the survey findings and feedback from Phase Two.
• Present the key findings and recommendations to community.
• Prioritize the strategy’s recommendations to short, medium and long term.

January to July 2019

• Presented the final strategy to City Council
• Shared the final report with Indigenous community partners
• Started to have conversations with Indigenous community partners and residents regarding the 40 recommendations from the final report.

July 2019 to December 2021

• Work with community partners and City staff to develop an implementation plan.
• Continue community consultation throughout the developing stages.

National Indigenous Peoples History Month (June 2020)
The month of June is National Indigenous Peoples History Month and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day, both are recognized nation-wide. Due to Covid-19, events and festivities were hosted on an online platform. Well recognized media platforms such as Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), CBC and local communities and municipalizes offered various events that were streamed online to celebrate the month and day. Although, National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day looked very different, communities were still able to celebrate the contributions and achievement of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Spring Equinox Gathering – Battlefield Museum (Postponed due to Covid-19)
Battlefield Museum, the Urban Indigenous Strategy and the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre partnered in hosting a Spring Equinox Gathering on March 21, 2020. The significance of the event was for traditional knowledge keepers to conduct a White Pine Ceremony as Battlefield had planted new white pines on the museum property. The event was to celebrate the newly planted white pines as well as celebrate the beginning of Spring as it has significant meaning to the Haudenosaunee and their ceremonies. Unfortunately, the gathering has been postponed due to Covid-19.

Feb 2020 Youth and Elders Gathering (March 2 to March 6, 2020)
The Hamilton Regional Indian Centre hosted their annual Youth and Elders Gathering. The gathering consisted of various Elder and Knowledge Keepers from across Ontario that facilitated workshops over five days at the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre. Some topics of the workshops included: Two Spirit, Traditional Medicines, Star Knowledge, and many more. The week ended in a social housed at the Hamilton Boys and Girls Club. It was open to both the Indigenous community and Hamilton residents.

Urban Indigenous Strategy Community Report Back on Implementation Plan (November 14, 2019)
On November 14, 2019 the Urban Indigenous Strategy team presented key recommendations and initiatives from the strategy that will be implemented into the implementation plan. The community report back was held at the Celebration of Growth Annual Social.

Honouring our Sisters, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Closing Ceremony (November 5, 2019)
On November 5, 2019, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Exhibit team hosted a ceremony that closed the exhibit. The ceremony was conducted outside behind the castle where there was a sacred fire lit. There was a traditional closing done by Norma General as well as next step recommendations from Hamilton Police. The event was successful and approximately 75 community members attended.

The Grizzlies (October 8, 2019)
On October 8, 2019, the Urban Indigenous Strategy partnered with the Hamilton Public Library in screening The Grizzles. The Grizzlies is based in a Northern Artic community that is facing a high suicide rate amongst their youth. Their lives become inspired by the game of lacrosse. This event was open to all Hamilton residents.

Indian Horse Movie Screening (October 1, 2019)
On October 1, 2019, the Urban Indigenous Strategy partnered with the Hamilton Public Library in screening Indian Horse. Indian Horse is based on a true story of an Indigenous man played hockey who attended residential school and lived through discrimination in the 1970s. This event was open to all Hamilton residents.

Honouring our Sisters, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Exhibit Opening Night (September 26, 2019)
On September 26, 2019, the Urban Indigenous Strategy team in partnership with local Indigenous youth created a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls(MMWIG) Exhibit called Honouring our Sisters.The exhibit contained stories of the MMIWG as well as the display of red dresses. Opening night consisted of a traditional opening by Elder, Norma Jacobs, opening remarks from Museum and Heritage and a special guest speaker, Bernadette Smith from the Drag the Red Campaign. There were over 200 guests who attended. The duration of the exhibit was September 26, 2019 to November 5, 2019.

Urban Indigenous Strategy Community Feast (August 8, 2019)
On August 8, 2019, the Urban Indigenous Strategy team hosted a community feast to celebrate the endorsement of the Urban Indigenous Strategy. There was a traditional opening by knowledge keeper Jackie LaBonte and opening remarks made by Healthy and Safe Communities, General Manger, Paul Johnson. In total, there was 60 community members in attendance.

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration (June 21, 2019)
On June 21st, National Indigenous Peoples Day, a celebration at City Hall was held featuring welcoming remarks from a coordinating circle member Lyndon George and Councillor Nrinder Nann, songs from the Spirit Vision Singers and cake.  In the evening, the Hamilton sign outside City Hall was lit up in the colours red, white, black and yellow representing the Medicine Wheel.

Indigenous Flag Raising Ceremony (May 30, 2019)
On Thursday, May 30, 2019, the Urban Indigenous Strategy and Hamilton's Aboriginal Advisory Committee partnered and held a Indigenous Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall to honour Indigenous flags being raised. Fifty participants were in attendance including Councillor Nrinder Nann on behalf of Mayor and Council, Pat Mandy on behalf of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Clear Waters Council Secretary and Veteran Don Kennedy. Other speakers included: Monique Lavallee from Hamilton Executive Directors' Aboriginal Coalition, Marilyn Wright from the Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Jackie Labonte our Traditional Knowledge Keeper and Otsíhsto kó:wa singers. Four flags will be flown at City Hall for the month of June to represent Six Nations, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis Nation.

Community Presentation (December 3, 2018)
On December 3, 2018, the Coordinating Circle held a community presentation to share the key findings and key directions from the Urban Indigenous Strategy survey that was done in May. Great conversation and feedback were shared by participants. The event reaffirmed that there is still a lot of work and a lot of opportunity for building a stronger relationship with the Indigenous community.

Stories from the Land (June 22, 2018)
The Urban Indigenous Strategy partnered with the Soaring Spirits Festival and hosted their final event, "Stories From The Land."  Three speakers: Rick Hill, Elaine Lee and Val King were invited to share stories and perspectives on traditional knowledge with attendees.

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration (June 21, 2018)
On June 21st, National Indigenous Peoples Day, a celebration at City Hall was held featuring welcoming remarks from community member Yvonne Maracle and Mayor Eisenberger, songs from the Spirit Vision Singers and cake.  In the evening, the Hamilton sign outside City Hall was lit up in the colours red, white, black and yellow representing the Medicine Wheel.

Bringing the City to the Community Information Fair (June 2, 2018)
The Information Fair was an opportunity for City staff to meet Indigenous residents and discuss the numerous programs and services that the City provides. The event was a great pilot, bringing together 80+ Indigenous community members and 18 City of Hamilton booths attended the event. The event included information booths representing a number of different City services, a Cultural Cardio class, Young Ogichidaa Singers, draws and much more.

Indigenous Flag Raising (May 28, 2018)
The Urban Indigenous Strategy, Hamilton's Aboriginal Advisory Committee and De Dwa Da Dehs Nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre partnered and held a Full Moon Ceremony at City Hall to honour Indigenous flags that were flown for the month of June. Thirty participants were in attendance including Mayor Eisenberger, Chief Stacey LaForme, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Six Nations Councillor Wray Maracle and Secretary and Veteran Don Kennedy, Métis Nation of Ontario Clear Waters Council.

Youth Shaping Spirit in Hamilton (April 11, 2018)
The Youth Shaping Spirit in Hamilton workshop asked local Indigenous youth to reflect on their Indigenous identity and discuss ways that the City can reflect their culture and community. The youth created an art piece to represent the urban Indigenous youth living in Hamilton and how they wanted the City to honour their traditional roots. In partnership with Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), the youth presented their art piece on May 3, 2018 as part of LAO’s “Boldness Project”. The artwork has also been on display at alternative community events throughout the city.

Community Conversation on Reconciliation featuring the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (March 19, 2018)
The Coordinating Circle hosted a second community conversation on reconciliation, featuring the KAIROS Blanket Exercise.  The event brought together one hundred Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents to participate in the exercise at the Hamilton Public Library Central Branch.  The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an experiential learning tool that aims to raise awareness and understanding of the history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island

Overview of Community Conversation on Reconciliation (December 13, 2017)
The Coordinating Circle brought together Indigenous community members in a conversation at the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre. Forty-one participants came and shared their perspectives on what reconciliation in Hamilton means to them. The Coordinating Circle plans to continue this dialogue with more people in the community during Phase Two.

• November 6, 2019 Hamilton Spectator | Our Sisters exhibit at Dundurn Castle honours the missing and murdered
• October 9, 2019 Turtle Island News | MMIWG Honoured in Hamilton, City embracing reconciliation
• July 17, 2019 Hamilton Spectator | Andrew Dreschel: City of Hamilton’s new Indigenous statement rich with history
• July 12, 2019 Hamilton Spectator | From the mouths of Elders: city council backs new Indigenous plan
• July 8, 2019 CBC | Hamilton endorses strategy that includes a new Indigenous cultural
• June 20, 2019 CBC | Hamilton's Urban Indigenous Strategy is ready, but committee isn't
• May 31, 2019 CBC | 'We have a lot of work ahead of us': Flag raised for Indigenous History Month
• January 9, 2019 Hamilton Spectator | City of Hamilton loses Indigenous innovator to McMaster University
• December 6, 2018 Hamilton Spectator | Hamilton establishing protocol for Indigenous ceremonies in public buildings
• May 2018 Hamilton Spectator | Land for ceremony, education prominent suggestions in Hamilton Urban Indigenous Strategy survey
• March 27, 2018 Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs | Hamilton Fire Department to donate pumper trucks to First Nations in northwestern Ontario
• June 13, 2017 Hamilton Spectator | City learning to listen to Aboriginals 
• March 13, 2017 Hamilton Spectator | Respect for natives part of city council meetings 
• February 4, 2017 Hamilton Spectator | The city within: being aboriginal in Hamilton
• January 19, 2017 TVO | The story behind Hamilton’s new urban Indigenous strategy
• January 16 2017 CBC Hamilton | City launches new strategy to improve supports for urban indigenous people
• November 22, 2016 Hamilton Spectator | City hires manager for urban indigenous strategy
• August 31, 2016 Hamilton Spectator | Hamilton hiring manager to lead urban aboriginal strategy

The four Indigenous flags that were temporarily installed at City Hall in honour of National Indigenous History Month are now flown on permanent basis. These flags are the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Six Nations Flag, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Flag, the Métis Flag and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Flag.

Indigenous Books

Learn more about Indigenous contributions to Canadian literature with a list of suggested books from past #IndigenousReads campaigns.

Indigenous Films

• 'Indigenous voice matters:' What to watch this June - https://www.cbc.ca/television/indigenous-voice-matters-what-to-watch-this-june-1.5590258 - CBC host Duncan McCue shares his must-watch picks for National Indigenous History Month.
• NFB – Indigenous Cinema (free)
•  CBC – Through Our Eyes – Indigenous Short Docs- https://gem.cbc.ca/category/through-our-eyes-indigenous-short-docs/featured-all/49e1596f-58c9-423f-9799-486ddedec3b4

Reports

• Reducing Stigma

Education

• University of Alberta offers a free Indigenous Canada Course

• Celebrating Indigenous Peoples in Canada Activity Guide