Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
We are currently located on land, which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange among the Mississauga Peoples, and is the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. We honour, recognize, and respect this nation and Indigenous Peoples as the traditional stewards of the lands and waters on which we meet today.
Fostering a strong and inclusive region
Having a sense of belonging is critical to our personal and collective success. Who we are in terms of our cultural identity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, religious affiliation, age, etc. helps to shape our life experiences. It is important that the Region of Durham is a place where diversity is embraced and each one of us is valued and included. Creating a strong sense of belonging helps us harness individual differences in ways that drive leadership, co-operation, innovation and service excellence.
Our organization will strengthen diversity and inclusion by focusing on four goals and areas for improvement:
-
Improve our understanding of diversity and deepen everyone’s commitment to inclusion.
-
Strengthen diversity and inclusion within our organizational culture.
-
Engage staff in diversity and inclusion efforts, and foster opportunities for leadership, advancement and employee development.
-
Identify and address barriers to inclusion in the delivery of Regional programs and services.
Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce (DRART)Indigenous support and resourcesAddressing anti-Black racism in Durham Black HistoryAddressing anti-Asian racism in DurhamPlans, strategies and policiesCommittees and working groupsAccessibility
September Significant Dates
|
Anant Chaturdashi - September 9
|
|
Anant Chaturdashi is an important day of worship for those practicing Hinduism and Jainism. Observances include fasting, prayers and sacred rituals. Learn more about Anant Chaturdashi. |
|
Mid-Autumn Festival – September 10 to 12 |
|
Mid-Autumn Festival – also called Moon Festival—is a celebration of the harvest of rice and fruits. This festival is celebrated in China and in many countries throughout Asia. Mid-autumn festival is observed by gathering for dinners, lighting paper lanterns and eating mooncakes. Learn more about the Mid-Autumn Festival. |
| Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) – September 11 |
|
Ethiopia’s New Year, Enkutatash, is on September 11 this year according to the Ethiopian calendar. This holiday marks the end of rainy season and appearance of bright yellow flowers in the Ethiopian landscape. Festivities include enjoying a meal with loved ones, singing and dancing. Learn more about Enkutatash. |
|
Keiro No Hi: Respect for the Aged Day – September 17 |
|
Keiro No Hi: Respect for the Aged Day is a Japanese holiday that pays respect to the elderly. It’s influenced by Buddhist and Shinto religions, as well as Confucianism. Learn more about Keiro No Hi: Respect for the Aged Day. Durham Region supports an age-friendly community where residents—regardless of age, ethnicity, race, gender or ability—feel respected and enjoy a high quality of life. Learn more by watching, learning from each other to overcome ageism. |
|
Powley Day – September 19 |
|
Powley Day celebrates the anniversary of the landmark Métis rights victory at the Supreme Court of Canada in R v. Powley. This victory secured recognition of Métis as a distinct Indigenous Peoples with a culture and identity of their own in Canada and opened the path forward toward full Métis self-government. Learn more about Powley Day. |
| International Day of Peace – September 21 |
|
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21. This year’s theme is, “End Racism. Build Peace.” To create a world where compassion and empathy overcomes hatred, we must dismantle all forms of racism and promote anti-racism through education and justice. Learn more about the International Day of Peace. Join Durham Region in building a community where everyone feels welcome and that they belong. Visit durham.ca/OurHome to learn more. |
|
Rosh Hashanah – September 25 to 27 |
|
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and celebration of the creation of the world. During Rosh Hashanah, people may attend synagogue; eat challah bread and dipped honey apples; and perform the Tashlikh—a ceremony in which bread is tossed into a body of water to symbolize the casting away of sins. Learn more about Rosh Hashanah. |
|
Navratri – September 26 |
|
Navratri is a major Hindu holiday celebrated all over the world. Navrati begins on September 26 to honour goddess Devi. It also coincides with Durga Puja, a Hindu festival celebrating goddess Durga and the victory of good over evil. Exact customs vary by region, but mainly include worship, celebrations, fasting and feasts. Learn more about Navratri. |
| National Day For Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day - September 30 |
|
National Day For Truth and Reconciliation September 30 marks the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour the children taken, families left behind and survivors of Canada’s residential school system. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of colonialism and residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to actively participate in reconciliation. Remembering the Children Memorial On September 24 at 11:30 a.m., The Region of Durham will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. During the memorial, a commemorative orange crosswalk and plaque will be unveiled. The Remembering the Children Memorial honours Indigenous children that did not return home from residential schools, families left behind and survivors. To learn more, visit durham.ca/reconciliation. Orange Shirt Day September 30 is also #OrangeShirtDay. On this day we remember Phyllis Webstad’s experience at a residential school. Phyllis’ orange shirt was taken away, symbolic of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem of all Indigenous children. We are encouraged to wear orange to show our support. |
Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce (DRART)
DRART is part of the Region's commitment to develop and implement an Anti-Racism Framework to ensure a healthy workplace and to address racism within the communities the Region serves. The mandate of the DRART is to act in an advisory role to Regional Council through the Finance and Administration Committee on issues related to racism — structural, systemic and interpersonal. The work of DRART will be guided by Council approved Terms of Reference.
Indigenous Support and Resources
Residential School Survivors Helpline: 1-866-925-4419
In memory of the 160 First Nation, Métis and Inuit children who were uncovered in unmarked graves on the site of the former Kuper Island Residential School near Vancouver Island, B.C.; the 182 children who were uncovered in unmarked graves on the site of the former St. Eugene's Mission School in Cranbrook, B.C.; the 751 children on the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan; the 215 children discovered on the Kamloops Indian Residential School grounds in Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc territory, B.C. and those that are still to be found, we are sharing support and resources for Indigenous Peoples and others impacted by these events.
The resources below also contain important information about the history of residential schools, the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and more. We understand this content includes distressing information, and we hope that you can access the resources you need to feel supported.
The Region encourages residents to reflect on our relationships – both past and present – with Indigenous Peoples, and to move forward with reconciliation in our hearts, minds and actions.
Support
| Indian Residential School Survivor's Society (IRSSS) |
| A provincial organization with a twenty-year history of providing services to Indian Residential School Survivors. Visit the IRSS website. |
| First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) |
|
The first and only provincial First Nations health authority in Canada working to transform and reform the way health care is delivered to British Columbia First Nations. |
| Legacy of Hope Foundation |
|
An Indigenous-led charitable organization. |
| Hope for Wellness Chat |
| Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or start a confidential chat with a counsellor at hopeforwellness.ca. |
| Bawaajigewin - An Aboriginal Community Circle Oshawa |
|
The Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle (BACC) is an Aboriginal-led incorporated non-profit agency in the Durham Region. Visit the website for the Bawaajigewin - An Aboriginal Community Circle Oshawa. |
| Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) |
| Mental Health Services, Help and Support in Durham Region: eMentalHealth.ca. |
| Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle (NASC) |
|
Healing services cater for Anisnaabekwewag and their families through traditional Anishnaabe spirituality, but they welcome people from all nations. They serve the geographic area of Turtle Island, including Durham Region. Visit the Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle (NASC) website. |
| Métis Nation of Ontario |
|
Programs, services, and activities to address the holistic needs of Métis people in Ontario at the provincial, regional, and local levels. |
Resources
|
Videos |
|
Note: The content in the videos listed below may include distressing details for viewers. Support is available - please see the links above or call the helpline for residential school survivors at 1-866-925-4419.
|
|
Films |
|
|
Sites and links |
|
|
Learn about our shared history and take action |
|
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The Region is honoured to acknowledge the first ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Durham Region on September 30. A time to show respect for the heritage, diverse cultures and achievements of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. A time to reflect on relationships—both past and present—with Indigenous Peoples. To move forward with reconciliation. This is just the first step on the long and important journey ahead.
| Orange Shirt Drum Circle | ||||||
|
Thank you to the drummers, performers and participants and those who watched the live stream of the Orange Shirt Drum Circle on September 29.
|
||||||
| Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action | ||||||
In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation we are highlighting Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls to Action relating to child welfare and children who died or went missing while attending the residential schools.
|
||||||
| More Information and Resources | ||||||
|
Addressing anti-Black racism in Durham
The development of an Anti-Black Racism Pillar at The Regional Municipality of Durham calls for key priorities of the Anti-Black Racism Pillar to be identified by the Region’s diverse community of employees.
As one of the core values of the Region is inclusivity, the Anti-Black Racism Pillar’s aim is to assist the Region in moving towards healing from past hurt and advancing towards long-term systemic change for all.
| Anti-Black Racism statement | ||||
| The Regional Municipality of Durham recognizes the presence of systemic and Anti-Black Racism in the organization and strives to build a safe and healthy workplace where every employee feels valued and treated with dignity and respect. We condemn all forms of systems of oppression which deny individuals the right to equitable treatment, access and fairness.
We continue to believe that it is possible to engage our employees and community in anti-racism conversations through open, respectful, factual dialogue. This work cannot be done without listening to the voices of Black, Indigenous and racialized communities as we strive to be strong and trustworthy allies. |
||||
| Anti-Black Racism Town Hall and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Follow-Up report | ||||
|
On October 14, 2020, the Anti-Black Racism Town Hall and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Follow-up report was presented during a Committee of the Whole meeting. Enclosed within this report are:
|
||||
| Anti-Black Racism Town Hall recordings | ||||
|
Black History
In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada.
2022 Black History Month Event
- Black History in Canada
- Black History Timeline
- Black Enslavement in Canada
Addressing anti-Asian racism in Durham
We are committed to calling out and actively working towards disrupting all forms of oppression and violence. We want to create spaces where all people are valued and can feel safe.
No form of hatred, racism or prejudice is okay in our communities. This year, there’s been an increase of incidents of anti-Asian violence. Durham Region stands with our Asian-Canadian colleagues and community members.
For individuals seeking support or further information, see the resources below for more information.
Resources:
- Mental health impacts of anti-East Asian racism during pandemic (Article)
-
One year later, COVID-19 still fans the flames of anti-Asian racism (Article)
- Pandemic Rapid-response Optimization to Enhance Community-Resilience and Health - Staying Healthy (Webpage)
Plans, strategies and policies
- Durham Region Strategic Plan
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy
- Durham Immigration and Inclusion Community Plan
- Age-Friendly Strategy and Action Plan
- Community Safety and Well Being Plan
- Accessibility Plan
Committees and working groups
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion News
-
November 25, 2021 - Durham Region appoints members to anti-Racism taskforce
-
June 28, 2021 Statement from Regional Chair John Henry on Canada Day
Have a question, suggestion, or comment to share? We're listening.
Email us
diversity@durham.ca
Follow us on social media
Twitter
Facebook
Connect with us
YourVoice.durham.ca
Subscribe for updates
durham.ca/subscribe
Contact Us