Ontario Greens statement on Indigenous history month

June 3, 2025

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens Leader Mike Schreiner and Deputy Leader Aislinn Clancy released the following statement to mark National Indigenous History Month.

“On National Indigenous History Month, we honour the legacy, heritage and resilience of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Ontario and Canada.

In doing so, we must also reckon with the reality of Canada’s colonial past and present, including the discrimination and violence that Indigenous peoples continue to face today.

It shows up in every corner of our society. In lack of access to clean drinking water in communities across the country, for instance. Or in the systemic racism embedded in our medical, justice and education systems.

Most recently, we’ve seen the Ontario government ramming through Bill 5, legislation that would violate First Nations treaty rights and the constitutional duty to consult First Nations on development projects in Special Economic Zones.

As we commemorate National Indigenous History Month, Greens call for the provincial government to:

• Immediately withdraw Bill 5;
• Provide funding to support Indigenous-led searches for lost children at each residential school site in the province;
• Legislate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) as a statutory holiday in Ontario;
• Fully implement all provincial calls outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action;
• Invest in culturally informed infrastructure, such as housing and healthcare, in Indigenous communities;
• Fund Indigenous led conservation projects and climate solutions.

We need actions, not just words. We need a full commitment to combat the systemic racism and colonialism still present in our society as we work toward reconciliation.

This month, I also want to express my deepest gratitude to the Indigenous peoples who have boldly spoken out against Bill 5, and who have cared for the land, the water, the plants and animals and people who live here.

As provincial leaders, we have so much to learn from Indigenous teachings on stewardship, sustainability and community.

During Indigenous History Month, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating Indigenous communities and histories across Turtle Island. But let’s also commit to standing with Indigenous leaders and community members as they fight to protect their treaty and constitutional rights.”

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