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7 | Friday, July 1, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Letter to the Editor Happy Canada Day to all my neighbours: reader With the passing of the summer solstice on June 21 and the upcoming Canada Day, I reflected on my family's first two years in the Oakville, "the most livable town in Canada." Upon our daughters' starting school, I was pleased to find out their teachers, in the most respectful way, broached their cultural identity, which is First Nations or more specifically, Ojibway (Anishinabe, if you didn't know). From there, I was pleased to find out both the Halton (public) and Halton Catholic school boards share an Indigenous Education Advisory Council, a first in Ontario where two boards can come together on a common goal. During this time, our council has been approached by the Burlington Public Library, the Halton Region Museum -- soonto-be Halton Heritage Centre, as well as the Interfaith Council of Halton. Through our Council, I have been invited to the Anglican Church of the Incarnation and St. Raphael's Catholic School and Parish Church. I have been invited into many schools from both boards and been asked to share our traditional First Nations teachings, ceremonies and views on history. I have been blessed to be a part of the Halton Regional Conservation Authority team, where I have been able to share my traditional knowledge at Crawford Lake in Milton. In January of this year, I sent a personal letter to Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, requesting Oakville consider enhancing its public awareness of First Nations and the fact it sits on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of New Credit. At the May 30 Town council meeting, my family was in attendance that evening and I could not have been more proud to see the mayor and councillors all rise to record the vote on the motion to acknowledge National Aboriginal Day. On June 21, the summer solstice and National Aboriginal Day, I went down to Oakville Town Hall, I walked up to the council chambers and right there next to the entrance, I saw two banners displayed for all to see. Honouring the Land and the Territory: Halton, as we know it, is rich in history and modern traditions of many First Nations and the Métis. From the lands of Anishinabe to the Attawadaron, the Haudenosaunee and the Métis -- these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in Indigenous history. As we gather today on these treaty lands, we are in solidarity with our Indigenous brother and sisters, to honour and respect the four directions, lands, waters, plants, animals, ancestors that walked before us, and all the wonderful elements of creation that exist. We would like to acknowledge and thank the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation for being stewards of the land. The second one acknowledged the Medicine Wheel, the Infinity symbol and the Inuksuk symbols. Halton Region is truly a great place to live. Happy Canada Day to all my neighbors. Miigwetch -- Thank you. Stephen Paquette, Oakville Today's School for Tomorrow's World www.GlenburnieSchool.com Glenburnie School OPEN HOUSE Wednesdays 9am Preschool - Grade 8 2035 Upper Middle Rd. East at Ford Drive,Oakville (905) 338-6236 New Patients Are ALWAYS Welcome CUSTOM Feel the Warmth of TRAVIS Fireplaces When purchasing a Travis fireplace you will experience EFFICIENCY, DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY UNMATCHED in fireplaces! Visit us your Masonry and fireplace specialists today! · Evening & Weekend Appointments Available · Female Dentist Available · Same Day Appointments · Same Day Emergency · Walk-in Service · Family & Cosmetic Dentistry · Insurance Billed Directly · Digital X-Rays Dr. Manchanda Call today to book your appointment 406 Speers Rd., Oakville | 905-337-2066 www.cobblestonembers.ca 627 Lyons Lane, Suite 100 www.doctor4teeth.com www Oakville, ON 905-339-1666