Media Release:
Indigenous Community Vision for Hamilton
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY VISION FOR HAMILTON SHARES WHAT’S NEEDED IN HAMILTON FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TO THRIVE
Hamilton, ON – (October 20, 2022) – Informed by Indigenous community engagement throughout 2022, the Coalition of Hamilton Indigenous Leadership (CHIL) released the first Indigenous community vision for Hamilton. The Indigenous community vision for Hamilton weaves together over 300 voices of Indigenous community members in Hamilton who took part in virtual and in-person conversations to answer “What’s needed in Hamilton for Indigenous Peoples to thrive?” The Indigenous community vision for Hamilton was presented back to community on September 30th, during the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre’s 3-day gathering for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“The Indigenous community of Hamilton has had these ideas and visions for Hamilton for a long time,” says Indigenous Data and Policy Analyst Victoria Bomberry, “but what we haven’t seen is action by local leadership or the necessary investments. The Indigenous vision for Hamilton is meant to help move Hamilton beyond land acknowledgements and towards meaningful sustainable investments in the Indigenous community.”
The first community vision created by and for the Indigenous community of Hamilton sets a bold new agenda for the city in calling for long-term community-wide and intergovernmental investments towards Indigenous Peoples and places in Hamilton. Drawing from over 20 conversations with Indigenous community members, the key message of the Indigenous community vision highlights the need for reclamation of land, culture, and community for Indigenous Peoples in Hamilton to heal from the destructive impacts of colonization and to thrive in Hamilton.
“During our conversations, Indigenous community members were very clear that it’s not about inclusion to land, culture, and community. The vision is about reclamation. The Indigenous community needs the resources and investments to steward land, to relearn and revitalize our cultures and languages so we can care for each other the way we need to. It’s not about including Indigenous Peoples in Hamilton. It’s about honouring treaties and our rights to support and advance Indigenous leadership and governance in all areas.”
The Indigenous community vision for Hamilton complements Hamilton’s Urban Indigenous Strategy by providing a framework for everyone in Hamilton (from individuals and organizations to institutions) to advance reconciliation.
For more information about the Indigenous community vision for Hamilton, visit: https://www.chileadership.com/indigenouscommunityvision
For media inquiries, contact:
Victoria Bomberry
Indigenous Data & Policy Analyst
Coalition of Hamilton Indigenous Leadership
Direct: (289) 808 – 8835
Email: policy@chileadership.com
