Centre Wellington Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation

Acknowledging the Land

The lands we know today as the Township of Centre Wellington have been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. We acknowledge that we are on the treaty lands and traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and the Haudenosaunee.

With increasing encroachment by non-Indigenous settlers in the Township of Centre Wellington, the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee could not continue their traditional lifestyle and settled in their villages along the Credit River and in the Grand River Valley.

These Indigenous nations uphold their Treaty Rights within our jurisdiction.

Today, the township … remains home to Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to share and respect Mother Earth and are committed to building constructive and cooperative relationships with Indigenous nations.

Ontario First Nations and Treaties Map

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Our Commitment to Reconciliation

Reconciliation is not a one-time gesture. It is an ongoing journey of building trust, accountability, and mutual understanding. The Township supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and is taking steps to:

Centre Indigenous voices in community planning
Provide cultural learning opportunities for staff and residents
Partner with Indigenous artists and educators
Make space for ongoing dialogue and healing

Recent Actions in Centre Wellington

Draft Policy on Indigenous-Themed Logos in Township Facilities

In response to a 2019 letter from the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the Township developed a draft policy to address the use of Indigenous-themed names, logos, and imagery on municipal property. The policy:

Prohibits the future use of Indigenous-themed names or imagery by non-Indigenous organizations on Township buildings and facilities.
Requires that existing imagery (such as banners or team logos) be reviewed and approved by Council before being displayed again.
Encourages educational context when Indigenous imagery is used—such as plaques, displays, or digital storytelling—developed in partnership with Indigenous advisors.

A Working Group of the DEI Advisory Committee, including Indigenous voices, is guiding this work. The draft policy is currently available for public feedback on Connect CW.

Honouring Indigenous Days

The Township is working on establishing inclusive Illumination and Flagpole Policies to raise awareness and create welcoming spaces for Indigenous peoples.

The Inclusive Flagpole Policy allows for proactive flag raising on the community flagpole to mark significant Indigenous dates, including:

National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) - Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Flag
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) – Survivors' Flag

The Inclusive Illumination Policy enables the Township to highlight key landmarks and buildings with symbolic lighting. This includes:

Orange lighting on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30), and more illumination on key occasions.

Attend Events: Join Indigenous-led community events and education sessions
Learn & Share: Use Township resources to deepen knowledge of local Indigenous history and perspectives
Apply for a Grant: Support reconciliation-focused initiatives through the Community Investment Fund
Volunteer: Join committees or working groups that focus on DEI and Indigenous engagement

Explore Indigenous Territories on Native Land

As part of Centre Wellington’s commitment to truth, reconciliation, and respectful relationships, we invite you to learn more about the Indigenous Peoples whose traditional territories we live and work on. The Native Land Digital map is an interactive tool that helps visualize territories, languages, and treaties across Canada and around the world.

🌍 Launch Native Land Interactive Map

Hosted by Native Land Digital. Use this map as a starting point for deeper learning and connection with local Indigenous communities.