Item - 2016.AA5.1

The Aboriginal Affairs Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that:

1.  City Council direct the Chief of Protocol, Protocol Services, City Clerk's Office, in consultation with the General Manager, Facilities Management to arrange for the installation of the flags of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, the Metis peoples, the Haudenasaunee and the Huron-Wendat at Toronto City Hall on a permanent basis.

At a recent Federation of Canadian Municipalities meeting, Chief Bellegarde, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations discussed the federal Urban Aboriginal Strategy and urged municipalities to connect with local Metis, Inuit and First Nations in a positive and engaging manner. 

One opportunity for the City of Toronto to engage and formally acknowledge First Nations is to raise Aboriginal flags at City Hall.  Flags are important symbols that recognize nations.

The City of Toronto is situated on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation and Metis peoples.  By raising the Misssissaugas of the New Credit First Nation and Metis flags, the City of Toronto demonstrates support for its First Nations communities, their identities and symbolism.

The City of Toronto's Urban Aboriginal Framework sets out principles and commitments that support reconciliation and the City reaffirms its commitment to implementing the framework through activities such as education of the Toronto Public Service on Aboriginal history; Aboriginal employment strategy; representation of Aboriginal people at City agencies and corporations; partnership and capacity building; and recognizing the significance of National Aboriginal Day.  Raising the two flags on a permanent basis at City Hall further demonstrates commitment to acts of reconciliation.