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Dufferin County event explores Indigenous history, ongoing impact of colonization

September 3, 2026   ·   0 Comments

Written By SAM ODROWSKI

The County of Dufferin is commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation later this month with a Community Conversations event. 

The event will focus on Indigenous history most Canadians were never taught and what it asks of us now. The conversation is titled, “13 Square Miles: My Cree Ancestors and How Colonization Still Shapes My Life — and Yours.”

The event takes place at Grace Tipling Hall on Thursday, Sept. 24, just six days before the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day.

The event will get underway at 6:30 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m.

“Dufferin County is proud to present its next Community Conversations event in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.” said Dufferin County Warden Lisa Post.

“As we continue to work towards Reconciliation, we must all focus on learning, unlearning, reflection and action. The County encourages community members to join us as we learn more about the Canadian history most of us were never taught, discuss how colonization continues to shape our lives and consider what we can do to create a more equitable community for all in Dufferin.”

In reference to the upcoming conversation, the county said, “Under the terms of Treaty 9, Chapleau Cree First Nation should have received close to thirteen square miles of reserve land. In 1907 it received 267 acres (less than half a square mile) — and some of that was under water.”

Jennifer David, a member of Chapleau Cree First Nation and author of a newly completed history of her community, will trace five generations of her family through the fur trade at Moose Factory, the “half-breed” inland traders, the arrival of the railway, the signing of the treaty and the Indian Act.

She will follow that history to the two kitchen tables where ordinary people decided they would not let Canada dictate their identity or their lives.

“Dufferin County may seem far from northern Ontario but you’ll see that my own family’s experiences with the fur trade, the Indian Act and a treaty carry threads about colonization that have impacted, and continue to impact, Indigenous Peoples across Canada, including in Dufferin County,” David said. “How do we reconcile with our own history to create a better, shared future?”

Registration is required to attend. Residents can register for the event by visiting:

eventbrite.ca/e/national-day-for-truth- and-reconciliation-tickets-1998809591294 

         

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