Stopping the spread of COVID-19 is a team effort, and for most of us, our way to contribute is to stay home. If you are not an essential worker, limit your trips out as much as you can. You’ll be protecting everyone. We’re all in this together, #ygk! For information on changes to City services, visit the City’s COVID-19 webpage.
The City of Kingston is situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and the Haudenosaunee.
"The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat, and thank these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.
Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation."
The Engage for Change project seeks to re-frame the relationship between Indigenous/First Peoples and non-Indigenous people in Kingston – especially as it relates to history, knowledge and culture.
Springing from the findings of The Purposeful Dialogues Report, as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report and 94 ‘Calls to Action’, both released in 2015, Engage for Change’s main focus is to foster learning through inclusive dialogue, education, celebration and performance.
The first phase of work, carried out over 2016-2017, had four separate components: community-based talking circles, curricular programming on reconciliation and residential schooling, support for public presentations and community events, and the creation of digital content.
The second phase, which runs over 2018-2019, built off the first phase and focused on working with Indigenous community members through a series of facilitated engagements to explore and plan for what a community cultural centre or space could look like in Kingston. These engagement sessions also considered how a related support council or advisory board could function in Kingston.
The third phase of work, targeted for 2020+, will bring the outcomes of the first and second phases together with a focus on the creation of a cultural centre/community gathering space, the formation of a community council/advisory committee, and with continued support for key community events and celebrations.
For more detailed information on the first two phases of Engage for Change please visit the City of Kingston’s Engage for Change project page.
To sign up for our newsletter, please visit Newsletter sign-up.
