/ #National Indigenous Peoples Day 

Algonquin, Anishinabe flags go up permanently at City Hall

Photo via City of Ottawa

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, Mayor Jim Watson has requested to have the flags of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council permanently raised at Ottawa City Hall. As of today, the flags will fly at Marion Dewar Plaza and will be permanently displayed in Council Chambers and in the Mayor’s boardroom.

The raising of the flags is another milestone in the City’s reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples. In February, Council approved a Reconciliation Action Plan to redress the legacy of residential schools in Canada.

The City’s reconciliation efforts include:

  • Developing a Reconciliation Action Plan, adopted by Council on February 28, 2018
  • Drafting a Statement of Reconciliation, adopted by Council on March 28, 2018
  • Working closely with Indigenous partners and working groups
  • Holding staff events to broaden knowledge of Indigenous peoples and communities
  • Unveiling an outdoor commemorative artwork designed by Anishinabe artist Dean Ottawa, of Kitigan Zibi. The piece consists of an artistic plaque attached to a large stone, which was selected and moved from Pikwakanagan to City Hall
  • Establishing the Aboriginal Working Committee, made up of members of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition, City departments, Ottawa Police Service, the United Way, the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, Crime Prevention Ottawa, the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
  • Development of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation Civic Cultural Protocol in full collaboration with Algonquin Anishinabe communites
  • Respectfully acquiring art from Indigenous artists into the City of Ottawa Art Collection and featuring it in high profile locations such as the City’s new Light Rail Transit station.

Find out more about the City’s Reconciliation Action Plan at ottawa.ca.

Quotes

“The City of Ottawa readily acknowledges that our land is located on un-ceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation. Ottawa is honoured to celebrate the history, heritage and culture of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation, the original Indigenous caretakers of our land. Permanently raising the flags is a step towards reconciliation, and it recognizes the significant past and present contributions of the Algonquin Anishinabe peoples to our city and our country.” Mayor Jim Watson

“Today is a historic day for The Algonquin Anishinabe Nation. Our flags provide identity to our Nation. We hold great pride that our Nation’s flags will be flying outside Ottawa City Hall, and be displayed in Council Chambers and in the Mayor’s boardroom. The City of Ottawa is Canada’s capital as such this event is of great historic, social and spiritual significance to Algonquin Anishinabe peoples who have lived on this land since time immemorial.” Grand Chief Verna Polson, Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council