Recognizing the county’s heritage

By Andrew Philips Orillia Packet & Times

Students across Simcoe County could soon have a new daily ritual.

A Simcoe County District School Board committee approved a plan Tuesday to formally recognize the area’s First Nations roots with a phrase students might eventually be asked to say every day.

“This is a starting point to just beginning to do the acknowledgement,” said Evelyn Ball, who serves as Rama First Nation’s education director and is part of the board’s First Nations education advisory committee that met in Rama Tuesday.

“It’s about educating our students and ourselves so if we’re acknowledging it, it’s a good thing.”

After a great deal of back and forth to develop the precise wording, punctuation and what groups should be included, committee members created the phrasing students in all board-operated schools might eventually voice between regular morning announcements and the singing of O Canada.

While the committee’s recommendation still requires discussion and approval by the board’s trustees at a future meeting, the move would solidify what Twin Lakes Secondary School principal Irfan Toor said his school already does when students and staff say, “We recognize that we are on the traditional territory of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and we are honoured to be here.”

Initially, the phrasing presented Tuesday by board superintendent Stuart Finlayson would have also recognized the Wendat people who lived in the region prior to the Chippewas arriving on the scene.

But committee chair Dan Shilling said the Wendat don’t reside in the area anymore and, therefore, shouldn’t be part of the axiom.

Added Ball: “This isn’t their territory.”

Fellow committee member Michele Locke, who represents Midland, Tay and Severn on the board, said she fully supports the move to create a daily homage that would acknowledge the county’s roots.

“The reason why we’re doing this is to respect and honour the initial residents,” she said. “I, personally, would like to include Métis and Inuit so that all indigenous peoples are included.”

Finlayson said it’s essential the wording be perfect from the start.

“It’s better to get it right than to get it wrong,” he said, noting it’s important the committee have everything lined up correctly before asking the board for approval.

In the end, the phrasing recommended by the committee reads, “I/We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Chippewa Tri-Council, made up of Beausoleil First Nation, Georgina Island First Nation and Rama First Nation.

“I/We also recognize the enduring presence of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit on this land.”

Committee member Jodi Lloyd, the board’s trustee representing Orillia and Ramara, said the regular morning declaration could lead to a better understanding of the region’s First Nations.

“There could be a professional development component around it,” she said. “I think it’s a very good step forward.”