Is the City of Thorold doing enough to highlight Indigenous contributions to its culture and history?
The Thorold Heritage Committee thinks there should be more Indigenous representation at Battle of Beaverdams Park.
“There’s nothing to give a presence to the Indigenous [peoples] on whose lands we live,” said Chair Anna O’Hare, during Tuesday’s committee meeting. “It is something that needs to be remedied.”
Indigenous peoples played an important role in the Battle of Beaverdams 200 years ago, but this is not highlighted in any of the historical plaques at the park.
“There’s only a cursory reference on the battlefield cairn in the park,” said O’Hare. “The people who won this battle for the British were actually Indigenous people and that should be acknowledged.”
But an Indigenous presence at the park should not solely focus on the War of 1812 either, according to O’Hare.
“Indigenous culture is not just about battles fought and won for the British,” she said. “There’s heritage and culture here that should be represented in the centre of the city.”
That representation could take the form of interpretive displays, created by the local Indigenous arts community.
But the Heritage Committee is not looking to have any direct involvement in the project. They just want to open the door for the local Indigenous community to take the reins.
“We’re not asking council for money right now,” O’Hare added. “For now, we just want to get this underway and make sure it happens.”
Local Indigenous activist Michele-Elise Burnett is enthusiastic about the idea.
“There’s a lot of Indigenous history on those lands that dates back millennia,” she tells ThoroldToday. “To recognize the ancestral trails that were there pre-colonial times, as well as the warriors that died in 1812—I think it would be wonderful to establish a place there that recognizes the history of the Indigenous people.”
Creating more Indigenous spaces is an important part of furthering Truth and Reconciliation.
“Unfortunately there’s been a lack of Indigenous presence almost everywhere across the country,” says Burnett. “By having these spaces people can learn more about our history and they can learn more about us and we can start to work together and partner together.”
Burnett has been instrumental in developing the Indigenous Unity Garden at Mel Swart Conservation Area, which is closing out its inaugural season.
“We’ve already started harvesting,” Burnett says. “It was just an incredible season. It really met my visions and beyond. Thousands of people came through this summer to have an authentic Indigenous experience at the garden. It was very heartwarming.”
The success of the project highlights the importance of fostering Indigenous spaces in Thorold and Burnett would love to see the city continue that work at Beaverdams Park.
“I would really love to ignite that area as well and continue sharing our stories,” she says.
