The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples.
We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.
On this page:
- Background
- Indigenous-led Community Initiatives
- Indigenous-centred Corporate Programs & Practices
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Indigenous Communities' Use of Space
- Reconciliation Action Partnership
- Local Indigenous Organizations
- Recipients of City Grants for Indigenous Initiatives
Background
In June 2015, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released its final report, including 94 Calls to Action aimed at redressing the legacy of residential schools and advancing truth and reconciliation in Canada. The Calls to Action are directed at all levels of government, the private sector and Canadians as a whole.
In 2019, Kitchener City Council directed staff to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, starting with two key priorities:
- Introduce a territorial acknowledgement at the commencement of Council to signal a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and to demonstrate respect for ongoing relationships with Indigenous communities.
- Develop and implement training for staff and Council to increase Indigenous cultural competency, improve service delivery, and build organizational capacity to work respectfully on Indigenous initiatives.
In August 2020, Kitchener council approved a report that outlines next steps in the truth and reconciliation journey, including:
- Development of a Reconciliation Action Plan
- Creation of a policy to support Indigenous Peoples’ access to public spaces for cultural and ceremonial practices
- Waiving all fees associated with rentals for space associated with Indigenous events until the policy is finalized
Indigenous-led Community Initiatives
City staff continue to collaborate with Rights Holders and urban Indigenous communities to support initiatives that meaningfully incorporate Indigenous values, histories, cultures, rights, and worldviews.
Every Child Matters Crosswalk
In September 2022, a resident-led vision for Every Child Matters Crosswalk was realized through the LoveMyHood matching grant. A ceremony was held to unveil the crosswalk at Victoria Park, attended by representatives from the Orange Shirt Society, members of city council, and community members. During the ceremony, drums played as residents walked through Victoria Park, passing orange ribbons tied to lamp posts and orange footprints painted along the trails leading to the new tribute crosswalk. Sheena Merling, Bin-no-g Man-na-doe Quay – Spirit of the Children, resident lead of this tribute, was among those who spoke at the ceremony. This tribute is one way to create a lasting memorial in memory of the children who lost their lives in residential schools.
Huron Natural Area
Huron Natural Area contains evidence of Indigenous settlement dating back centuries. City staff worked with Indigenous communities to ensure that Huron Natural Area is a safe, welcoming space for ceremonies, events, and gatherings. New wayfinding signs and trail names in traditional languages were created in collaboration with local Indigenous artists. Looking ahead to 2025, the City is exploring a co-management approach for the land, aligned with the establishment of permanent Indigenous space.
Wiijindamaan Project
The Wiijindamaan project, located within the Pioneer Tower Natural Area, includes community partners such as the Wisahketowinowak Urban Indigenous Garden Collective and White Owl Native Ancestry Association. The project has hosted regular workdays, gatherings, workshops led by Indigenous student researchers, and a week-long immersive culture camp. Efforts continue to establish food gardens, a food forest, and habitat restoration.
Indigenous-centred Corporate Programs & Practices
City staff continue to coordinate efforts to support Indigenous-centred initiatives across Kitchener.
Water Stewardship Project
City staff are working closely with the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation to make sure their priorities and knowledge are included into our stormwater management. This project will take several years and is meant to help reduce the impacts of flooding and improve water quality. Staff are focusing on relationship-building and documenting what we learn to share with other city teams. This helps avoid asking rights holders the same questions over and over. By restoring Kitchener’s creeks and planting native and culturally important plants near the water and in parks, the city is working to respect treaty promises and thoughtfully steward the land and water we all share.
Places & Spaces
Staff working on the Places and Spaces plan engaged with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Six Nations of the Grand River. Staff garnered insight and knowledge through conversations on topics like naturalization, gathering spaces, and future interest in park-related developments near the Grand River. Feedback from urban Indigenous communities and organizations, gathered from Permanent Indigenous Spaces engagements, was also applied to the Places and Spaces plan. Learn more on Engage Kitchener.
A role dedicated to Indigenous Relations
The City has worked with the Region’s Reconciliation Action Partnership (RAP) and the City’s Equity, and Anti-Racism Advisory Committee to revise and fill the Senior Indigenous Relations Advisor role in 2025. This position focuses on building respectful relationships and guiding Kitchener’s path toward understanding, healing, truth and reconciliation.
Cowan Recreation Centre
Kitchener is currently building a new indoor recreation centre at RBJ Schlegel Park. Staff have met with the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation to gather feedback and address concerns.
Learn more at Cowan Recreation Centre
Staff Education & Training
In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, the City launched intercultural competency training in 2019, focusing on history, treaties, legislation, and impacts on Indigenous Peoples. Programming continues to expand, helping non-Indigenous (settler) staff better understand Indigenous cultures, traditions, values, and laws. The City’s 2025 training catalogue reflects this ongoing commitment.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On September 20, 2024, the City of Kitchener observed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. The city is working with municipal partners and local Indigenous communities to move towards reconciliation and commit to continued education, reflection, and meaningful action. Reconciliation is a deliberate and ongoing process that requires time, commitment, and collaboration. Kitchener City Council is committed to deepening the City’s understanding of the histories and current realities of Indigenous peoples, and actively addressing systemic anti-Indigenous racism within our organization and community.
Read more: Indigenous Initiatives: Observance of National Day for Truth & Reconciliation.
Indigenous Communities Use of Space
We're working with the City of Waterloo to make it easier for Indigenous communities to access public spaces to celebrate their culture and ceremony.
We're waiving rental-related fees for using city spaces for eligible Indigenous cultural and ceremonial events.
Learn more on our Indigenous communities use of space page.
Reconciliation Action Partnership
The Reconciliation Action Partnership (RAP) is a collaborative initiative involving municipal representatives across Waterloo Region to support Indigenous-centred initiatives that connect land, people, and governance.
City staff actively participate in RAP and its sub-committees to:
Local Indigenous Organizations
There are many local Indigenous organizations you can support. We encourage you to visit their websites, follow them, support them, and listen to their calls for help and donations. Many Indigenous community members and members of these organizations are working through a time of mourning. Some will be accepting donations, others will not, but it’s important to get familiar with local Indigenous groups, communities and organizations.
We also encourage you to donate to the organizations listed below. Many of these are national-level organizations, many are youth-led or survivor-led. All are focused on protecting Indigenous peoples, Indigenous cultures and Indigenous histories.
Recipients of City Grants for Indigenous Initiatives
Through the City’s grant programs, including Community Grants, the RISE Fund: Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Equity, and the LoveMyHood matching grant, funding has been given to Indigenous-led or Indigenous-centered organizations and projects, supporting a range of initiatives, programs, and events.
