The District of Muskoka will be supporting two community initiatives with a reconciliation focus.
Muskoka District Council awarded $15,000 in grants to support an Indigenous-focused event this summer and a fund which will provide support to reconciliation efforts.
The two initiatives were presented to the Muskoka Area Indigenous Leadership Table (MAILT) before being sent to council. MAILT was established in 2019 by the District and aims to strengthen the Indigenous-municipal relationship in Muskoka and to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
In a presentation before council, Tina Kilbourne, project manager in the Continuous Improvement Unit (CIU), outlined the two proposals that were presented to MAILT.
The first initiative is a powwow in honour of The One Dish With One Spoon Treaty to be held at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge on June 29 and 30th. The event will be called See Muskoka Through Our Eyes Traditional Powwow and aims to build positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
The location of Annie Williams Park is important because the Muskoka River is a traditional trading route of Indigenous Peoples. According to Kilbourne the event will include indigenous singing, dancing, drumming, food and craft vendors as well as opportunities for cultural teachings with a focus on traditional Indigenous ways of knowing and being. According to a staff report the powwow will support economic development, cultural teachings and awareness about reconciliation in Muskoka.
The second initiative is a new fund by the Muskoka Community Foundation called Building Bridges to Reconciliation fund. The new fund will support the charitable sector by providing grants to help implement and amplify the 94 calls to action. The fund will also provide donors with the opportunity to support local reconciliation efforts, raise awareness around colonization and its impacts.
The Muskoka Community Foundation administers $2 million across 20 funds with a demonstrated commitment to reconciliation. The foundation has a history of working with the District and in 2022 the two partnered to roll out Indigenous awareness training to community members and partners. District staff state that the fund will support human services and organizations across Muskoka and support reconciliation efforts.
Previous local projects that have involved MAILT support include the grant support for the Muskoka Discovery Centre Misko-Aki exhibit. According to Kilbourne this collaboration has helped to create a world class exhibit which tells the story of Muskoka through an indigenous lens
Council voted unanimously to approve a $10,000 grant to support the See Muskoka Through Our Eyes powwow and a $5000 grant to support the Muskoka Community Foundation Building Bridges to Reconciliation Fund.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
Click here to support local news
Join the discussion: