By Cecilia Nasmith
The Municipality of Port Hope has issued a press release on the steps it is taking to encourage reflection listening and learning on the occasion of National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Thursday to move towards reconciliation with Indigenous neighbours friends and colleagues – including the question of the statue that stands in front of Town Hall.
The familiar figure of Col. Arthur T. H. Williams is the subject of council's directive to staff to begin to work on an Indigenous cultural-awareness strategy that includes options for the statue's future.
“The monument celebrates Colonel Williams as the hero of the Battle of Batoche, suppressing the First Nation and Métis resistance,” the press release noted.
“This view is challenged by a contemporary understanding of the consequences that the battle had on Indigenous communities and culture. Additionally, the statue’s inscription does not reflect Port Hope’s current values.”
The process of research, consultation, and education toward developing this strategy has begun. A temporary storyboard will soon be installed beside the statue to reflect the modern-day context, a current interpretation of the events of that time, the implications of the battle of Batoche and the Colonel's role in the battle’s history.
Earlier this month, the Municipality announced that staff will observe Sept. 30 as a paid holiday for permanent full-time staff to honour and reflect on Canada’s residential-school survivors, their families, and communities and to respect current collective agreements. Staff have been provided Indigenous heritage, culture, and history resources as part of their own learning and reflection journey on the national day of observance.
Though many non-essential municipal services will be closed on Thursday, such essential services as the transit system will not be affected. As well, some programming at recreation facilities will continue as previously scheduled.
The Municipality has also invested in and provided an extensive education program for council and designated staff, which will be considered as part of the overall Indigenous awareness strategy and goals for the organization going forward.
And the Every Child Matters flag will be raised at Town Hall through Oct. 1 in honour of Truth and Reconciliation.
“Honouring Truth and Reconciliation from a municipal perspective is a long and worthy journey,” Mayor Bob Sanderson commented.
“It’s a time to explore, as an organization and a community, the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
“This year we have an opportunity to address concerns related to the Colonel Arthur T.H. Williams statue, and we are committing to do so in a timely manner, and then revisit the options presented for the future of the statue as part of our Indigenous cultural awareness strategy.”
For more information about the Municipality’s response to Truth and Reconciliation or for resources to consider as part of your own learning and education, visit the municipality's Indigenous Land Acknowledgement page.
