The City of St. Catharines takes great pride in fostering our meaningful relationship with local Indigenous communities. Our commitment to truth and reconciliation is at the core of our initiatives.
Honour and Respect
Discover how we honour and respect the traditional territories of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples that have long called this land home. Learn about the various collaborative programs and events that celebrate Indigenous culture and heritage, promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation within our community.
Land Acknowledgement
The City of St. Catharines acknowledges that we are settlers on the land on which we gather by sharing the following at the beginning of each Council and committee meeting:
The land on which we meet today is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today.
This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples.
Acknowledging this is a reminder that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous peoples.
Partnership
Explore our partnership with the Niagara Regional Native Centre (NRNC), where we work hand in hand to address shared challenges and create positive change. Our journey towards reconciliation involves open dialogue, cultural exchange, and a commitment to truth and understanding.
In 2018, Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NRNC which was created and developed in the Spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission between the Board of Directors of the NRNC and the City of St. Catharines to reduce barriers in planning Indigenous activities, increase awareness and education around Indigenous history and culture, encourage community engagement and gathering, support the Indigenous community and foster diversity and inclusion, and to guide and advise City staff to ensure respectful and appropriate representation of Indigenous culture.
The MOU has given flexibility to take immediate action when required for Indigenous initiatives and has been a symbol of a professional friendship between the NRNC and the City of St. Catharines. Ensuring the MOU is maintained and strengthened is vital to the City, NRNC, and the community. It has created a solid foundation for building strong relationships with the Indigenous community.
In 2022, City staff met with the NRNC to review the MOU to identify opportunities for improvement and recommended changes, opportunities to strengthen and reinforce the relationship between the City, NRNC and other Indigenous groups and initiatives that extend beyond NRNC, and past and current initiatives and future action items that reinforces the MOU and the City’s commitment to Indigenous matters.
City staff will continue to collaborate and consult the NRNC to implement future action items.
Past and Current Initiatives
Stay up-to-date with our latest projects, workshops, and community gatherings focused on Indigenous teachings, history, and art.
Indigenous Peoples Day
National Indigenous Peoples Day (sometimes referred to as Indigenous Solidarity Day) is celebrated annually on June 21. The City of St. Catharines offers programming in partnership with NRNC acknowledging the day and generally including official opening ceremonies with representatives from the NRNC and a drumming performance.
Annual Traditional Powwow
Held annually in St. Catharines on the first Saturday in October, NRNC’s traditional Powwow brings together our region and communities in celebration and understanding. There are vendors, artisans, drumming and more.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation took place in 2021 and is marked annually on September 30. The City partners with the NRNC in hosting a commemorative event at City Hall including various guest speakers, an orange flag presentation and the opportunity for City staff and the community to learn the truth about residential schools. To honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30 is recognized as a statutory holiday by the City of St. Catharines.
REDress Project
A red dress is displayed outside City Hall each year in February as part of the REDress Project to support and create awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA Peoples.
Art, Culture and Events
At the Museum
Karl Dockstader was the first speaker for the 2022 Virtual Museum Lecture Series hosted by St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre presenting a talk titled 'One Dish, One History: There were people here before 1876'.
A contract employee joined the St. Catharines Museum through NRNC’s Apatisiwin Employment and Training Program on Sept. 19, 2022 for a 12-month on the job training program as a Collections Assistant.
Suggested Reading
Murals and interpretive panels
An art installation including a mural at the top of the Port Weller Community Centre and an art exhibition inside the building. Interpretive panels are displayed to describe the mural.
The People on the Land interpretative panels are displayed at Richard Pierpoint Park.
Totem Pole
The Totem Pole was commissioned in 1966 by a Kwakwa̱ ka̱ ʼwakw artist, Doug Cranmer, and was originally erected in 1967 for Canada's Centennial. In 2018, the City identified concerns about the state of the totem pole, and led extensive engagement on its future. The totem pole was removed from the park in 2019 and restored by Indigenous artists with connections to the original designer. The final location installation location is under review as the City explores options for an indoor venue to showcase the artwork.
The More Than Words: Truth and Reconciliation art exhibit
Displayed at City Hall until April 2021. The intention was to educate and inspire both artists and the community to move from the written words of the Truth and Reconciliation report. A story telling and responsive art-making virtual series was recorded to be paired with it.
Bridging Our Future exhibit
Displayed at City Hall until January 2018. More than 200 people helped create this mobile mural during 2017 Pow Wow in October at Montebello Park. The mural, which was also on display at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, was made up of five canvases designed to be displayed together. It explores a vision emerging from First Nations culture, as well as new connections and friendships, between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Two Row Wampum belt metal sculpture
Created by artist Lily Otasevic, and unveiled at FirstOntario PAC as part of Celebration of Nations. In 2017, the City issued a nation-wide call to Canadian and Indigenous artists and creative teams for one of the largest public art projects. The belt promotes all Nations walking together, in parallel, with respect, compassion and understanding to cultivate an inclusive community for our shared future. The sculpture, which can be seen on the Carlisle Street side of the PAC, is part of the City’s civic art collection.
Let it Glow
NRNC designed a window display at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC) in partnership with the City that was on display for the month of December and first week of January. The window displays were part of the self-guided Let it Glow – A Celebration of Light tour with a theme of Feel the Glow and how that was representative of the Indigenous community. The cost of building this display was partially subsidized with City funding.
Other Initiatives
- The NRNC presented to the City of St. Catharines Senior Leadership Team to collaboratively explore opportunities for training and staff engagement, and have provided advice and perspectives during advisory committee recruitment.
- St. Catharines Fire Services provides support for various sacred fires for different activities throughout the community.
- NRNC Summer Picnic Series has been approved for a 50 per cent fee waiver in City parks.
- NRNC has received St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP) grants for their Culture Builds Community Program for the Pow wow.
These events and initiatives reiterate the important role the MOU plays in collaborative efforts that support the City of St. Catharines, NRNC, Indigenous culture and the community as whole.
We strive to create a welcoming space for all, where Indigenous voices are amplified and valued. Join us in this important journey towards reconciliation as we build a stronger, more inclusive City of St. Catharines together.