IMPORTANT MESSAGES FROM THE TRUST
BLACK LIVES MATTER
Many of us in North Hastings have been following coverage of the events connected to the Black Lives Matter movement. North Hastings Community Trust is an organization whose leadership is mostly white people and we would like to clearly say: Black Lives Matter. We know that being Black means you are discriminated against in ways big and small. Being Black also puts you at great risk of targeting and violence by the police and by others both historically and presently.
Thinking and talking about race and racism is hard and uncomfortable and we are wrestling with this daily at the Trust. Let’s have conversations about anti-Black racism and how it exists in ourselves, our families, our social circles and our workplaces. Let’s do this with the hope that it will get us all closer to a world where everyone of us gets to live life of dignity and safety.
If you need support for dealing with racism including anti-Black racism or if you want to connect to others on these topics feel free to connect with us. If you are a parent and would like some resources that can help you start a conversation with your kids about what’s happening in the news, or if you want to learn more for yourself, please check out these resources:
INDIGENOUS JUSTICE
We acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, which is known by Indigenous Peoples as unceded.
We acknowledge that the Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of this land since time immemorial and as such, we treat the land, its plants, animals, stories and people with honour and respect.
Today, this land is home to many Indigenous People from across Turtle Island, and we acknowledge the shared opportunity to live and work within this beautiful territory.
This recognition of the contribution and historic importance of Indigenous Peoples must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to make the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities, and in particular to bring justice for murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls across our county.
All my relations, Chi-Miigwetch
Land Acknowledgement
Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini Algonquin Nation
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Indigenous people in North America have been deeply harmed more by colonialism. At North Hastings Community Trust, we want everyone to learn more about the history in North Hastings of how political control, land and waterways were taken from indigenous people. We also want to better understand how colonization continues to impact Indigenous people here, and how to foster positive meaningful relationships between indigenous people and settlers.
We know that thinking and talking about racism and colonization is hard. It’s uncomfortable to think about what land ownership means and how it started. Let’s have conversations about colonization and how we may be participating or benefiting from it. Let’s start these conversations in our families, our social circles, and our workplaces, with the hope that this will get us all closer to a world where everyone of us gets to live a life of dignity and safety.
For more information on Algonquin history in North Hastings please visit the website of Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini:
NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES
The Trust is growing. And that means we’ve had to make some changes to our way of handling email.
All general inquiries and messages should now be addressed to:
inquiry.nhcommunitytrust@gmail.com
This address will be checked daily, and messages routed to the appropriate individuals and/or groups.
Jane Kali also has a new email address:
janekali.nhcommunitytrust@gmail.com