Anti-Colonialism & Indigenous Reconciliation
Our continued focus on addressing systemic discrimination and barriers with Indigenous Peoples includes creating learning opportunities about the legacy of colonization and its impact on Indigenous communities to better serve everyone who is part of our YMCA.
Land Acknowledgement
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to establishing relationships, nourishing existing partnerships with Indigenous community members, and upholding our responsibilities on the journey to reconciliation. We acknowledge the Sewatokwa:tshera't (Dish With One Spoon) Treaty and that the YMCA of Greater Toronto occupies land currently known as Toronto, which the Williams Treaties and Treaty 13 cover. The YMCA of Greater Toronto recognizes the thoughtful care of these ancestral territories and is grateful for the guidance of the land’s ancestral caretakers, the Anishinaabe Nations: the Mississaugas, the Potawatomi, the Odawa, the Ojibwe/Chippewa, the Algonquin, the Nbiising, and the Saulteaux, along with Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat, who have been the land’s ancestral caretakers and continue to protect and care for the lands that the YMCA of Greater Toronto occupies. The YMCA of Greater Toronto also resides outside of the Greater Toronto Area for a number of operational needs on the lands on the Wahta Mohawk and the Petun/Tionontati
Our Goals
- To contribute to anti-colonial processes that enhance reconciliation efforts
- To strengthen and build meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities, with attention to intersecting identities, to ensure that the Y is a trustworthy partner
The Y’s work will be tangible, including behavioural changes, programmatic shifts and systemic rebuilds that recognize the importance of Indigenous Peoples, cultures, and communities to achieving the goals in this focus area. We understand that we must approach this work with Indigenous Peoples every step of the way. Anti-colonialism is important in approaching work to advance Indigenous inclusion, rights, and sovereignty, and it offers a framework for every area across the Y to challenge existing structures and systems not specifically related to this focus area. We will seek ways to apply this framework across our charity.
Responding to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s in areas connected to our work is integral to our success in this area. We recognize the importance of land and sovereignty in anti-colonialism work. We have opportunities to revisit land allocation and space usage in relation to Indigenous Peoples, honouring our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.
Indigenous-focused Programs and Initiatives
Since the launch of the DEIB Strategy in 2022, the YMCA has implemented many exciting and innovative Indigenous-focused programs and initiatives. Below are some examples:
Employee-focused/internal Initiatives
- In 2022, we created a new role, Manager of Indigenous Relationships, to guide and support the work under the Anti-Colonialism and Indigenous Reconciliation focus area.
- All employees must complete a course created by First Nations University to learn about the history and current experiences of Indigenous Peoples and our responsibilities in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action.
- All employees have access to the Land Acknowledgement Bundle, which includes a land acknowledgement guide to support employees in creating personalized land acknowledgements.
Community-focused initiatives
- In 2023, YMCA Camp Pine Crest and Wahta Mohawk First Nation collaboratively developed and offered free camping and outdoor education programming. Efforts to strengthen the relationship between Camp Pine Crest and the Wahta Mohawk First Nation community are ongoing.
- In 2023, a medicine garden was created at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre for the Giwaabamin Free Street Clinic. This Indigenous grassroots organization provides a free clinic from a harm reduction position, serving unhoused individuals in the city of Toronto. The Cedar Glen farmer tends to and harvests the traditional Indigenous medicine garden’s crops.
- In June 2023, YMCA Cedar Glen provided free access to their space for an Indigenous Language Camp run by the ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency.
Programs and Initiatives in Partnership With Indigenous-Led Organizations
- Partnership with ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency:
- The YMCA and ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency achieved the following outcome together:
- Provide free gym memberships for ENAGB youth members at The Steve and Sally Stavro Family YMCA
- Offer free CPR, Babysitting, and Bronze Cross training to ENAGB youth members
- ENAGB named The Steve and Sally Stavro Family YMCA’s gymnasium Mino Maadziiying, an Anishinaabemowin name that means living a healthy life
- In June 2023, YMCA Cedar Glen provided free access to their space for an Indigenous Language Camp run by the ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency
- Partnership with Okichitaw Indigenous Combat Arts:
- YMCA Health and Fitness locations are working with George Lepine, founder and head of Okichitaw Indigenous Combat Arts, to offer Okichitaw workshops through the YMCA Karate programs. The workshops include the history of Indigenous combat arts, why they are important, and practical experiences with technique and equipment.
Employee and Community Groups that Support Our Truth and Reconciliation Efforts
Indigenous Advisory Circle
An Indigenous Advisory Circle supports our Camping and Outdoor Education department. They provide consultation on proposed Indigenous focused programs and initiatives. This advisory circle reflects the importance of Indigenous inclusion in our strategic planning and program designs.
Indigenous Reconciliation Working Group
In 2018, we formed the Employee Resource Group to advance truth and reconciliation work at the Y. The members of this group are Indigenous employees and allies committed to advocating, organizing, and providing consultation for initiatives that remove barriers and support the advancement of Indigenous employees, volunteers, and members. In the section below, you’ll find some impactful archived messages sent by the working group.
More to Explore
Treaties Recognition Week: Wampum Belts and Treaties
"Treaties are not about giving rights to Indigenous Peoples, but rather, they are about recognizing and affirming the rights that Indigenous Peoples already have." – Chief Wilton Littlechild
Marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Orange Shirt Day was founded in 2013 in recognition of generational harm to Indigenous children and their families caused by the Indian Residential School system.
Unveiling the Truth: Remembering Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relations
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relations (MMIR) movement encapsulates the tireless efforts of Indigenous advocates, allies and organizations working to raise awareness and seek justice for Indigenous Peoples going missing or being killed.
As one of Canada’s largest service charities, the YMCA has a role to play in fostering truth and reconciliation with Indigenous communities. The YMCA of Greater Toronto is committed to doing our part. We acknowledge this, and understand we still have a lot of work to do. We will continue to focus on addressing systemic discrimination and barriers with Indigenous Peoples. This includes creating learning opportunities with Indigenous partners for staff and volunteers about the legacy of colonization, and its impact on Indigenous communities, so that we can better serve everyone who is part of our YMCA.
If you have any questions, or want to learn more about the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s anti-colonialism and reconciliation work please email Indigenous@ymcagta.org.