Toronto raises Indigenous flags outside City Hall as permanent installation

After a sunrise ceremony in the City of Toronto for National Aboriginal Day, a permanent installation of Indigenous flags—Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Six Nations, Huron-Wendat, Métis and Inuit—went up at Nathan Phillips Square at Toronto City Hall.

“Today, Toronto joins cities across Canada in celebrating National Aboriginal Day,” said Mayor John Tory. “As part of our recognition of the unique history, culture and significant contributions of Indigenous Peoples, we are proud to unfurl five permanent Indigenous flags here at Nathan Phillips Square.”

Steve Teekens, the executive director of NaMeRes and his Oshkaabewis (helper) led the sunrise ceremony, which was followed by the mayor reading the proclamation for National Aboriginal Day, presented to Andrea Chrisjohn, executive director of Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre.

A breakfast reception followed the ceremony, including a presentation by Chrisjohn called Restoration of Identity, which is part of the Residential School Survivor Legacy Project.

The Restoration of Identity includes an installation of a commemorative statue of a Turtle.

Participants were then invited to add a stencilled chalk drawing to the Moccasin Identifier Project started on the podium roof ramp leading onto Nathan Phillips Square. The moccasin markers are a reminder that Toronto City Hall is in the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples.