A Statement About Canada Day: Actions to Reconciliation

The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield has consulted with Indigenous leaders about how to move forward with reconciliation in a manner that honours the generational pain felt through Indigenous communities.

Mayor and Council encourages everyone to reflect and participate as we seek to make our country an inclusive nation.

The actions the Town are undertaking include, but are not limited to:

Council meeting of June 28

  • A motion for Council to adopt the Canadian Commission for UNESCO Coalition of Municipalities for Inclusion Declaration
  • A motion regarding the six Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
  • A motion to use the historic spelling of Woolastook (Wolastoq) and Nerepis (Na.li’pits) on road signs

Community

  • Orange ribbons will be available at the River Centre and Town Office for residents to display outside
  • The Community Centrum will be lit by orange flood lights

On July 1

A community gathering at the Brundage Point River Centre will take place at 12 noon to acknowledge the institutional and personal crimes leading to the innumerable injustices suffered by the Indigenous peoples.

  • The Mayor will introduce our Indigenous guest
  • An Indigenous leader will be sharing some oral history of their people along the Wolastoq
  • Attendees will be encouraged to display orange ribbons provided by the Town
  • Residents are encouraged to wear orange
  • COVID-19 public health requirements will be in place

Gather with us on July 1st as we learn about Grand Bay-Westfield’s Indigenous history.

As the Town implements the Coalition of Municipalities for Inclusion Declaration and the Calls to Action Recommendations, more announcements will be forthcoming.