Dear Community,
Today is National Indigenous Peoples' Day.
This day was created as an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous people, their culture and their contributions to Canada.
However, we should also recognize the reality of historical and continuing injustice in our treatment of Indigenous communities and make this a day of solidarity to redress these wrongs.
There is an ongoing suicide crisis in Indigenous communities in Ontario. Many of these communities have been hit hard by the opioid crisis. There are Indigenous communities in Ontario that still lack access to reliable electricity, clean drinking water, equitable education, housing, affordable access to food, and healthcare.
We must work to address these problems as well as continuing the work of documenting the real history of abuse and trauma in the Residential school system. The facts about this what happened to children in these institutions must be fully understood by everyone in Canada.
We owe it to the memory of all of those who suffered and to all who continue to suffer - to work on building a better future together – A future based on justice.
Miigwetch.
This is also a good opportunity to recognize the Indigenous voices right here in our community. Congratulations to all the recipients of the 6th annual Indigenous Voices Awards, including St. Paul's community member Cody Caetano! You can find Cody's memoir, Half-Bads in White Regalia, at your local library branch or our very own Forest Hill Type Books!
Well done, Cody!
If you're looking for a FABULOUS restaurant to visit, check out Mashu Mashu Restaurant! It's an all-time favourite.
From their website: "We are a casual restaurant serving traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine with two locations. Our menu features Mediterranean and Middle Eastern appetizers, salads, and assorted platters providing a delightful combination of flavors and colors. Our main course menu includes an assortment of fish and meats; tender chicken, beef, salmon and lamb skewers grilled to perfection."
We had a FANTASTIC meal matched with OUTSTANDING customer service! It truly was an experience! I'm looking forward to visiting again and I know exactly who I'm taking with me next time! And the icing on the cake was bumping into the wonderful writer Dr. Meg Fox! What a kind and supportive human being you are.
Yesterday I joined my Ontario NDP colleagues and representatives of the Ontario Federation of Labour at Osgoode Hall to call on the Ford government to stop fighting workers in court and instead take meaningful action to address the simultaneous cost-of-living and health care crises in this province.
Enough time wasted suppressing wages. Your Ontario NDP is standing with public sector HARMED by the unconstitutional Bill 124 and our allies in labour, telling Doug Ford: Enough is Enough.
It's time to FINALLY respect workers. Stop the appeal & REPEAL Bill 124!
In Solidarity,
Jill Andrew
Toronto-St. Paul's
