It was a historic day in Timmins.
This morning, three Indigenous flags were raised for the first time at City Hall, where they will now be a permanent feature.
After the ceremony, there was also a unity walk from downtown Timmins to Participark for the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.
Timmins Mayor Steve Black told the crowd that he started discussing the idea of raising a flag about a year with Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Jason Smallboy.
At that time, Black told Smallboy if he could find one flag to raise, the city would raise it.
“He struggled for a year, and for good reason,” said Black.
Ultimately, the city decided to raise three flags — Mattagami First Nation, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, and Metis Nation of Ontario.
Smallboy was at the ceremony today, along with Mattagami First Nation Chief Chad Boissoneau and Metis Nation of Ontario Chair France Picotte.
All leaders recognized the historic significance of having the flags at City Hall.
“Today is about recognizing our rich Indigenous culture and history in our region and in the City of Timmins and the rights that come with that, but more importantly… it’s representing that we want to be as inclusive as a community as possible and that we encourage the basic rights and equality for everyone,” Black said.
Smallboy acknowledged the mayor and city for following through with the talks about having the flags.
“It’s important and I’m really proud to be a part of it to show the people in Timmins that we’re committed to working together on this day of truth and reconciliation. I believe that this is a positive step forward and true truth and reconciliation,” he said.
For Mattagami First Nation, which is the traditional territory of the city, Boissoneau noted the flag recognizes that.
“In reality, this territory is shared and owned by everyone, all cultures, all people, all walks of life. It’s our job to take care of the territory, take care of the resources, take care of Mother Earth, which we in our First Nation culture is one of the things we prize the most and we want to make sure that’s available for all our youth and future generations to come,” he said.
While today is the biggest day for celebrations, there has been Indigenous culture events happening at Participark all week.
