June 21st, 2021

Horwath marks National Indigenous Peoples Day

HAMILTON — Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath issued the following statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day:

"Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day, the 25th anniversary of this important day on which we recognize and celebrate the diverse heritages, languages, cultural practices, spiritual beliefs and achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. This year, we recognize that the celebration comes at an especially difficult time for Indigenous people as they face re-traumatization from the recent discoveries of children buried at former residential schools sites.

For Ontarians and Canadians, we must recognize our responsibility to understand and respect Indigenous Peoples' histories, cultures, contributions and the impacts of colonialism on their communities.

But what's been missing from National Indigenous Peoples Day is concrete action from government. Reflection, celebration and education are not enough without it. The impacts of colonialism are present in the ongoing housing crisis including overcrowding, disrepair, and mold, lack of clean water, the over-representation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system, the lack of equitable access to education, health care, and mental health and addiction supports, and unresolved land claims and disrespected Treaty Rights.

With horrific discoveries at former residential school sites taking place across this country, including 215 children found in unmarked graves at a former residential school in Kamloops, Canada's violent colonial history, and the anguish and pain still being inflicted on Indigenous Peoples, is fresh in our minds.

Indigenous-led and survivor-centred efforts to find and bring home all the children that were taken from their families is urgent, and a responsibility shared by all of all of us who call Ontario home.”