Back to SearchThe City of Burlington is taking action to continue to recognize Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous people and Canada’s true history. The most recent actions taken include installing the new park sign for Sweetgrass Park and orange crosswalk at Lakeshore Road and Nelson Avenue.
About Sweetgrass Park
Burlington City Council approved the name of Sweetgrass Park to rename Ryerson Park (565 Woodview Rd.) at the Jan. 18, 2022 Council meeting. Sweetgrass is one of the sacred medicines to many First Nations. It is used as a purification medicine in ceremony to purify and to heal.
Residents were asked to submit names for consideration that reflected the City’s naming policies for City assets that reflect equity, diversity and inclusion consistent with today’s standards. More than 500 names were submitted.
A committee made up of City staff, Indigenous leaders and community stakeholders then selected three options from the submitted names and a fourth naming option was added from Indigenous Elder Stephen Paquette (Sweetgrass Park).
Ryerson Park was named after Egerton Ryerson for his contributions to the Ontario education system, however, Ryerson was also instrumental in the design of Canada’s residential school system. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada concluded this assimilation amounted to the genocide of Indigenous people.
Orange Crosswalk
The orange crosswalk will be installed Sept. 29 in honour of the children of the residential school system. The crosswalk acknowledges the strength and survival of residential school survivors, and honours the victims, their families and communities. The crosswalk is phase one of a larger public art project that is being installed with support from a grant from the Hamilton Halton Brant Tourism Relief Fund.
On Sept. 30, the Every Child Matters flag will be raised at Burlington City Hall and the Brant Street Pier will be lit orange in the evening to recognize Orange Shirt Day. On Sept. 30, Canada marks the observance of a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, following the identification of unmarked burials at former Indian Residential School sites.
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Quote
Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation, Community and Culture
“These steps are to acknowledge and start conversations about Canada’s past. Only when we work together can we learn and move forward as a community, city and country.”
Links and Resources
Media release, Sweetgrass Park naming approved
Learn more about Orange Shirt Day and how you can contribute: www.orangeshirtday.org
Hear Survivor stories and read the Calls to Action at National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Photos
Image of Sweetgrass Park sign
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