In April, 2019, The Township received a letter from the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) addressed to the Mayor, regarding the harmful impact of Indigenous-themed sports logos in city facilities. Work was delayed due to COVID-19 and with the newly formed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, a working group has been struck to continue the work with the objective to comply with the OHRC's mandate to identify, prevent, and eliminate discrimination and to promote human rights.
The letter identified the Elora Mohawks as a non-Indigenous sports organization that uses Indigenous-themed names and/or logos.
The Jefferson Elora Community Centre (JECC) is the home centre for the Elora Mohawk Junior B Team and the Centre Wellington Minor Lacrosse Association. The history of banners from these organizations were removed to perform the rehabilitation of the JECC. There is a desire from facility users to reinstall the banners at the facility, however, development of a policy on displaying Indigenous-themed sports logos in Township facilities is still in progress. The working group, which includes members from the DEI Advisory Committee, the Elora Mohawks Junior B Team, and Township staff, has engaged a consultant and is collaborating with Grandmother's Voice to take unified steps forward.
About Grandmothers Voice
Elevating Indigenous Knowledge and Culture across Halton Region has been the foundation of the organization. Collectively, they continue to serve as a beacon for building awareness and fostering connectedness. Rooted in their Nation’s origins, they are dedicated to enhancing capacity and illuminating the landscape of Indigenous social services and determinants of health. They strive to strengthen bonds, raise awareness, and contribute to the well-being of their communities. To learn more, please visit https://grandmothersvoice.com/
About Four Simple Words
The team from Four Simple Words have built their careers focused on two things: deconstructing power and building communities of service. Both of these happen when leaders step into conversations about mattering, trust and what equity means to their team. Constantly learning with our clients, we have worked in classrooms, and boardrooms, with front-line staff and c-suite team members. Non-perceptive in our approach and leveraging the power of humor and humility, we know that listening is the first and most important step in building cultures of reflection.
Lakhdeep Singh Dhaliwal
For 20 years Lakhdeep Singh Dhaliwal has been building his leadership and experiences as a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) professional. He has worked in large and small organizations across North America opening minds and hearts in classrooms, shop floors and board rooms. He is gifted in his ability to invite large and small groups into hard conversations about inclusion with grace, joy and humour. Through his knowledge, learning and curiosity, Lakhdeep’s focus has been to help organizations understand and reimagine power.
Working Group Members:
Pat Newson, Managing Director of Community Services
Kristen Bettiol, Manager of Community Development
Jim Bomhof, Elora Mohawks Lacrosse Association
Robert Robertson, DEI Advisory Committee Member
Tasha Lake, DEI Advisory Committee Member
Pamela Wass Brown, DEI Advisory Committee Member
