We are all Treaty People - Debwewin The Oakville Truth Project
“When we all work together, we can become the lake of change. We can each become a raindrop of change and we can form that lake” - Mississauga of the Credit Elder Peter Schuler, Lead Debwewin Advisory Council
Attend the Oakville's Treaty Day Event on February 28
Join this free Treaty Day event to mark the date on which the Mississaugas of the Credit (MCFN), signed their last Treaty in Oakville, Treaty 22. Guest speakers are Emma Stelter, author and MCFN’s Governance and Policy Analyst, and MCFN’s Debwewin Lead Georgia LaForme. The discussion will centre on the main themes of the report, “Friendship, Peace and Respect for All Future Generations: Oakville based treaty relationships between the Mississaugas and the Crown,'' authored by Stelter. Attendees will also have an opportunity to become an Ally by signing the Acts of Allyship Commitment Form.
February 28, 5 pm to 7 pm at Central Branch, Oakville Public Library
Register now to attend
As part of our commitment to propel reconciliation forward across the community, OPL is now part of Gimaa (Chief) R. Stacey Laforme’s Ally Leadership Council, along with 14 other organizations, who have signed the Commitment to Truth and Allyship, or those who have created their own, and to share Acts of Allyship.
Launched at Sheridan College during Treaty Recognition Week in November 2022, the Acts of Allyship and Grateful Treaty Person campaign is a community-based initiative like Random Acts of Kindness, encouraging individuals and organizations to engage in actions to propel reconciliation forward throughout the community. Acts of Allyship encourages residents to sign an online commitment form and access the Grateful Treaty Person toolkit an online learning resource, in preparation for Treaty Day on February 28, 2023.
Read about the council and members in this news release
The campaign is in support of Debwewin: The Oakville Truth Project. The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) and the Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) launched Gimaa (Chief) R. Stacey Laforme’s Ally Leadership Council to coincide with the 216th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 14 in Oakville.
OPL continues to work closely with the MCFN and other community partners to elevate Indigenous voices; but deep lasting change can only come when we as individuals commit to doing the work, learning the truths and holding our governments accountable. At the October 2022 OPL Board meeting, the Library Board endorsed the Declaration of Truth and Allyship which was released as part of the campaign and recommitted OPL to our Truth and Reconciliation journey.
About the Debwewin: The Oakville Truth Project
"Debwewin" refers to one of the Anishinabek seven grandfathers teaching for “truth.” Debwewin: The Oakville Truth Project, is a partnership between the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) and the Oakville Community Foundation. The project is to further our shared understanding of Oakville’s Indigenous past and support local Truth and Reconciliation.
The journey from truth to reconciliation will be long and complicated and can only truly be accomplished through the work done by individuals within communities. This is the driving principle behind the Debwewin Project and the Acts of Allyship.
Learn more at https://debwewinoakville.ca/.
How to become an Ally
Start your Allyship journey by going to the Debwewin Oakville website and join community members across Oakville in your Act of Allyship. Sign an online commitment form or share a personalized commitment form and accessing the Grateful Treaty Person toolkit online.
From there, you can learn more about other Acts of Allyship, access resources and start to plan your own! By filling out the commitment form or providing your own commitment,, you also have the opportunity to be featured on the Debwewin Oakville social media along with other community leaders.
- COMMIT to the Declaration of Truth & Allyship r provide your own personalized commitment
- LEARN about the local Mississauga history, Local Treaties & Wampum Belts, and the Mississaugas of the Credit
- PLAN by centering Indigenous voices, reflecting on Calls to Action & Justice, and learning about MCFN Priorities.
- DO your Act(s) of Allyship- be inspired by examples from Gimaa Ally Leadership Council
- SHARE on social media by February 28, 2023.
- CELEBRATE join us to celebrate Treaty Renewal March 4, 2023.
About the Allyship Leadership Council
The Allyship Council will work to reimagine and bring community-to-community allyship and reciprocity forward into the present, which will offer tangible outcomes for local reconciliation. Members were invited to serve because of the work being led locally by their respective organizations and their personal commitment and passion to move local Truth and Reconciliation forward.