City of Brantford to pay tribute to victims of Indian Residential School System

BRANTFORD, ON – At a Special Council meeting held June 28^th, Brantford City Council approved a series of tributes to demonstrate the City’s solidarity with Indigenous communities as the country continues to mourn the discovery of unmarked graves on the grounds of former residential school sites in Kamloops and Saskatchewan. Acknowledging the city’s proximity to the largest population of indigenous peoples in Canada and our shared grief for victims of the residential school system, survivors and their families, effective immediately the City will implement the following tributes:

Dedicated spaces in Victoria Park and Children’s Memorial Garden where members of the community can pay respects to the victims of the Indian Residential School System
Flags at all City facilities will be lowered to half-mast on the first day of each month commencing on July 1 continuing until the end of the calendar year in memory of the children who lost their lives at residential schools across Canada
A donation of $100,000 to the Mohawk Institute Save the Evidence Campaign
Advocating to Provincial and Federal Governments to designate the second Monday of June as a Statutory Holiday intended to honour Indigenous peoples
In collaboration with Six Nations of the Grand River, the month of July will be declared as a Regional Indigenous Education and Reflection Month in the City of Brantford, with the objective of educating the community regarding indigenous issues, history, language and culture.

Canada Day programming modifications

Recognizing that many in our community are struggling with feelings of grief, sorrow and anger over recent discoveries of unmarked graves on the grounds of former residential school sites, and as a result may feel uncomfortable celebrating Canada Day, the City is offering a modified version of Canada Day themed programming for those who wish to both reflect on reconciliation to amend for a dark period in our country’s history, as well as acknowledge the unique attributes that make today’s Canada more inclusive. For those who wish to participate, the following activities and programming will be made available:

Canadians Cook Together – Tuesday, June 29, at 6:00 p.m.
Canadians Kahoot Together – Wednesday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m.
Young Canadians Drive-Thru Character Safari - Thursday, July 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. where donations to the Mohawk Institute Save the Evidence campaign will be gratefully accepted.
OLG Virtual Concert - Thursday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m. that will begin with a tribute to Indigenous communities in our region.

Council also reiterated the City’s full support of the Mohawk Institute Save the Evidence campaign and actively call on the Federal Government to increase funding to the First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program to conduct investigations on all former residential school sites and to protect and revitalize Indigenous language and culture in our region and across the country.

Mayor Kevin Davis was encouraged by the meeting outcome saying, “I want to commend City staff for working so hard over the past few days to make these important ways to reflect any pay respects available to the community and the wisdom of our Council in supporting and enhancing these opportunities. This is the beginning of a new chapter in further strengthening our relationship with the Indigenous community locally and throughout Canada.”

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Media Contact:  
Maria Visocchi Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca

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