Although the District of Muskoka has a history of engagement with Indigenous Nations that goes back to 1994, District of Muskoka staff have been actively focused on strengthening relations with Indigenous Nations since 2019. Below are some of the initiatives that have been undertaken.
| Muskoka Area Indigenous Leadership Table (MAILT) |
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The District of Muskoka initiated the MAILT in 2019. Membership on the MAILT is open to the eight Indigenous Nations with a current or historical tie to the lands that encompass the current region of Muskoka, including:
Municipal membership includes the upper tier District Municipality of Muskoka, as well as Muskoka’s six lower-tier municipalities, including:
Urban and off-reserve Indigenous residents of Muskoka, although not formal members, are represented on the MAILT through the Muskoka Urban Indigenous Voices (MUIV) group. Other individuals and organizations are also invited to sit at the table from time to time - as a guest to listen, learn and share - or to bring new ideas, information and perspectives for the MAILT to consider. The MAILT is in the process of developing a Friendship Accord that establishes a mutual commitment to the framework, intent and principles of engagement between participating members of the MAILT. The MAILT Friendship Accord is scheduled to be signed in October 2022. |
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Land Acknowledgement Guidelines and Framework |
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As a working group of the MAILT, Indigenous and municipal members worked together over 2019 and 2020 to develop a guideline and framework document to support District Councillors and staff in developing and delivering personal, heartfelt land acknowledgement statements to open important events and meetings. Council endorsed this document on March 15, 2021, and, subsequently, amended the District’s Procedure By-law to include the reading of a land acknowledgement at the beginning of District Council and Standing Committee meetings. Other organizations and residents of Muskoka are welcome to view and borrow from the Land Acknowledgement Guidelines and Framework. |
| Building Indigenous Awareness |
| In response to the Truth and Reconciliation’s Call to Action # 57, and to set the foundation for strengthening relations with Indigenous Nations at all levels of the organization, the District of Muskoka has made a significant effort to offer Indigenous Awareness Training to elected officials and municipal staff, as well as agency partners, non-profits, charities, small businesses, associations and residents of Muskoka.
In total, since 2019, the District has provided Indigenous Awareness Training to approximately 1000 people. Some lower-tier municipalities have also rolled out Indigenous Awareness Training to both elected officials and staff for an even greater impact. For more information on Indigenous Awareness Training in Muskoka: In addition, through the District of Muskoka’s corporate library, municipal staff who wish to further build their awareness, have access to a variety of Indigenous-authored award-winning fiction and non-fiction titles that focus on Indigenous topics and issues. All titles have been reviewed and vetted by District staff |
| Road and Place Name Audit |
| The District of Muskoka, with support of the MAILT, has initiated a Road and Place Name Audit, with a focus on renaming Muskoka Road 38 as a pilot project to inform future efforts. Muskoka Road 38 extends from Highway 169 in Bala, through Wahta Mohawks First Nation, to Highway 400 at exit 177. District staff, along with staff from the Township of Muskoka Lakes and Wahta Mohawks First Nation, have initiated a process to select a new name for this road that better aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation principles and better reflects Wahta Mohawks First Nation community values and culture. For more information on this pilot project, please refer to the April 2022 report to the Engineering and Public Works Committee. |
For more information about the MAILT and other Indigenous Municipal Strengthening Relations activities undertaken with support of the District of Muskoka, go to www.engagemuskoka.ca/mailt