Back to Search
In honour of National Indigenous People’s Day on June 21, the City of Burlington is proud to announce two exciting new spaces for Indigenous residents and all community members at Sweetgrass Park and Mountainside Community Centre.
Sweetgrass Park
Sweetgrass Park located at 555 Woodview Rd., is reopening following a park improvement project that celebrates Indigenous culture, teachings and enhances community access to nature and learning.
The revitalized park, developed in close consultation with the Indigenous Advisory Circle to the Mayor, features a ceremonial circle designed for full moon and other traditional ceremonies and a contemplative area near Tuck Creek. Full moon ceremonies are anticipated to begin taking place at Sweetgrass Park, this fall.
Both areas include natural stone seating known as “wisdom” stones and sweetgrass plantings. These additions reflect the City’s commitment to honouring Indigenous traditions, culture and creating inclusive public spaces.
The park will now feature a new asphalt pathway connecting to the Centennial Trail, surrounded by native tree plantings and pollinator perennials. Later this summer, two special custom benches will be installed in the park to support the Moccasin Identifier Project, founded by Carolyn King in partnership with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Greenbelt Foundation.
Moccasin Identifier is an Indigenous-led initiative dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of Indigenous Treaties and history across Canada. Their mission is to cover Canada in Moccasins, creating visual and educational reminders of the significance of Treaties and the Indigenous relationship to the land.
The City of Burlington is grateful for an anonymous donation which funded a large part of this project.
For more information and updates, visit the City of Burlington’s Sweetgrass Park project page.
Our Voices Carry the Land Mural at Mountainside Community Centre
The City of Burlington and the Indigenous Advisory Circle to the Mayor is also proud to announce addition of a mural and a dedicated space for Indigenous events in Community Room 2 at Mountainside Community Centre. The community room mural is called Our Voices Carry the Land by Indigenous artist Tessa Lynne Chartrand and will be open for public viewing on June 23 after a private opening event on June 22. The mural is a celebration of connection, community and inclusivity, rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing.
Community Room 2 is being reimagined as a dedicated space that centres Indigenous culture, learning, and community. It will serve as a priority venue for Indigenous ceremonies, gatherings, teachings, and outreach—free of charge for Halton Indigenous community members. This transformation reflects a deepening commitment to honouring the history, contributions, and presence of Indigenous peoples in Burlington. While this renewed focus guides the room’s purpose with priority booking for the Halton Indigenous community, the space will remain accessible for bookings and programming by everyone. For booking inquiries, please visit the City of Burlington’s rental page.
Burlington is a city where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.
Quotes
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
“Burlington Council is committed to honouring our Indigenous history and celebrating the culture of our Indigenous residents. These new spaces at Sweetgrass Park and Mountainside Community Centre are the City’s way of showing Indigenous community members our full support and commitment to Truth & Reconciliation. These spaces will allow all of us to learn more from our Indigenous residents. It’s my hope that they will be spaces of reconciliation and healing.”
Statement from the Indigenous Advisory Circle to the Mayor
“On behalf of The Advisory Circle to the Mayor, we are honoured to be a part of the team to bring an important Indigenous sacred space, Sweetgrass Park, to Burlington. May it bring all who enter peaceful reflection. We are also excited to not only have a designated Indigenous room at Mountainside but it is graced with a wonderful mural painted by Métis artist, Tessa Lynne, one of Burlington’s own.”
Links and Resources
https://moccasinidentifier.com/
-30-
|
Media contact:
|
|
Subscribe