Truth and Reconciliation at YES
Land Acknowledgement
The YES Shelter for Youth and Families respectfully acknowledges the sacred land that we meet on, and its traditional occupants. YES is located on the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg, which includes the areas of Curve Lake First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.
During this, the fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we honour the children of residential schools that never returned home. To those that did return, we honour the immeasurable damage created by residential schools, on both them, and their families for generations to come. We remember that the impacts are ongoing, and public commemoration is vital in Canada’s reconciliation.
YES’ Emergency Shelter is situated directly beside the sacred burial ground of a 2000-year-old Indigenous man; an example of how Indigenous ancestry and spaces steeped in Indigenous history, surround all of us living and working in Nogojiwanong.
Lasting Impact and Generational Trauma
Our Indigenous RISE Youth Housing worker Catrina has experienced generational trauma from residential schools and has shared her family’s story:
“September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation also known as orange shirt day. This day is meant to remember the children who were murdered and those who survived the residential school system. Many of these children survived physically, but not mentally or emotionally. The goal of residential school was “To kill the Indian in the child.” My Dad was a survivor of the residential school system but the damage has been deep and long lasting. As a direct result of my dad attending residential school, the traditional teaching and ways of being which would have been passed down was broken and my siblings and I missed out on teachings that should have been part of our upbringing. “
Reflection
Nogojiwanong (renamed by settlers to “Peterborough”), the Anishinaabe word for “place at the end of the rapids”, refers to the gathering place at the end of the Odenabe river. It is here, in Nogojiwanong, that YES has worked for the past 20 years to support youth and families experiencing homelessness. This work would not have been possible without the stewardship and care that the Indigenous peoples of this area have held over the land and its resources.
YES acknowledges that our buildings occupy space on traditional territories covered by the Williams Treaty – 1923 (Treaty Texts – Williams Treaties (rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca)), and the Rice Lake Treaty #20 – 1818 (Rice-Lake-Treaty-No.-20.pdf (williamstreatiesfirstnations.ca) ). We understand that the signing of treaties was meant to restrict and coerce Indigenous peoples to the benefit of colonizers. However, note that the signing of treaties by Indigenous peoples of these territories was symbolic, from an Indigenous perspective, of mutual respect and communication. This same perspective is maintained today by our Indigenous community partner agencies, and by the Indigenous peoples that continue to occupy this land. A benefit, that we as guests, see in the common work we do with our clients.
Responsibility, now and moving forward
Our presence in Nogojiwanong connects us to several nations; Curve Lake First Nation, Alderville First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. As uninvited guests on this land, YES has a responsibility to foster respectful relationships with these communities and their peoples.
In recognition of the tragedies that were bequeathed to Indigenous peoples in these territories, as well as territories all across Canada, YES is committed to learning about the traditional people and land, acting as allies for Indigenous people, and exploring ways in which YES as an agency can address the effects of colonization on the Indigenous youth and families of this region.
Indigenous RISE at YES
As an agency, we honour and respect the ongoing atrocities inflicted by Residential Schools, and look at how we can demonstrate our own reconciliation.
One such way is through our offer of Transitional Housing for Indigenous Youth. This is only one small way to honour reconciliation, and we look to find other ways, as well as to maintain open dialogues on the history and ongoing truth of survivors.
YES’ Indigenous RISE Program offers 6 beds in a transitional housing space to Indigenous youth that are precariously housed or homeless. The space is meant to be culturally supportive of client needs, and works to address the effects of homelessness on Indigenous young people in Nogojiwanong.
Guided by the seven grandfather teachings, youth have access to cultural programing, traditional foods and community connections. We see this program as only the very beginning of years of work ahead in decolonization that is needed, and that YES is invested in.