National Indigenous Peoples Day is a celebration of resilience: Mushkegowuk Grand Chief
Heartbreaking discoveries of unmarked burials around the country and a health crisis in Ontario's far north have feelings of sorrow running high for the Grand Chief of the Mushkegowuk Council.
But Jonathan Solomon said those challenges make National Indigenous Peoples Day all the more important as a time to reflect, educate and celebrate.
"We still have our language, we still have our culture, we still have our identity," Solomon told CTV. "We have to celebrate our resilience, we have to celebrate our existence as Mushkegowuk and Inuk (people)."
People in Timmins wanted to acknowledge the occasion, including the son of a local police chief.
Northern College student Brent Gauthier made wood artwork containing symbols of Indigenous culture and geography as part of a school project, and decided to donate it to the Timmins Police Service.
He said his artwork signifies the collaboration between police and Indigenous organizations to support the community.
"(Nishnawbe Aski Nation), the police service, Mushkegowuk Council, all of these resources are coming together and trying to produce better relations between Indigenous people and police," Gauthier said, adding that the goal should be to come together.
"We should work on remembering the past and trying to create a better future."
That's a notion deputy police chief Henry Dacosta agrees with, saying the police service's Indigenous liaison has been a key part of gaining the trust of the Indigenous community.
"To build those relationships, build those partnerships, understand things and share that information with our membership," Dacosta said.
He said the police service also welcomes diversity in its workforce and is always looking for people that can add unique perspectives to its law enforcement strategy.
Elsewhere in the city, Newmont Porcupine showed its support for the Indigenous community -- particularly those impacted by the residential school system -- by unveiling a specially painted orange truck with 'Every Child Matters' written on its side.
Bryan Neeley, the company's sustainability and external relations manager, said it's important to stand resolute with its First Nations mining partners.
"We've got agreements with eight different First Nations ... we do have mutual interests on the land, so this is another way we can show support for Indigenous people," said Neeley.
Solomon said it's encouraging to see non-Indigenous people and organizations making efforts to acknowledge, support and learn about Indigenous people — and he said that needs to spiral into a nation-wide education on the history of this country's first settlers.
"What's our history between them and us?" is a question Solomon said all families should discuss.
The ultimate goal, he said is for Indigenous people to be able to live peacefully and autonomously.
"Let's all get along and we'll be much further ahead of we do."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.