Healing Circles to Take Place In Response to Nogojiwanong Project Vandalism

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In response to the vandalism of the Nogojiwanong Project Panels in Millennium Park, the City of Peterborough is holding a Healing Circle for those who may have been affected by the incident, announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The graffiti was reported on June 3.

The City is providing the following reference to available supports: 

  • Talk 4 Healing, a culturally grounded, fully confidential help line for Indigenous women that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, provided by Aboriginal Alert, Canada’s Indigenous Awareness, 1-855-554-4325, https://www.aboriginalalert.ca/service-providers/talk-4-healing 

  • Provincial mental health supports directory provided by Canadian Mental Health Association, https://ontario.cmha.ca/provincial-mental-health-supports/ 

  • Kids Help Phone, Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders. Visit the Kids Help Phone website for online chat support or to access online resources for children and youth. 

  • Hope for Wellness Help Line, Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect to the online Hope for Wellness chat. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples seeking emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community-based services. Support is available in English and French and, by request, in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut. 

A virtual Healing Circle will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and an in-person Healing Circle will be held at the Nogojiwanong Project location in Millennium Park from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on June 17. Participants of the in-person Healing Circle are asked to bring their own lawn chair, if desired. 

The virtual Healing Circle is created as a safe and supportive space for community members to share and reflect on the impact of the recent defacing of the Nogojiwanong Project — a set of three interpretive panels commemorating the 200th anniversary of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20. This gathering is especially intended to support Indigenous community members and allies, offering an opportunity to come together, listen, and contribute to the healing process. 

Registration is required to attend the virtual Healing Circle. Registration closes at noon on June 16. Space is limited to ensure that all attendees have an opportunity to participate. Those who register will receive the link to attend the meeting. The registration form is available on the City’s website at https://form.peterborough.ca/Virtual-Healing-Circle-Registration.

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Millennium Park's Nogojiwanong Project Panels Vandalized

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The Nogojiwanong Project Panels in Millennium Park have been vandalized with graffiti on two of its three panels reported on Wednesday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City of Peterborough discovered the vandalism when they visited the area, and community members had already cleaned up a portion of the vandalism prior to their arrival.

Mayor Jeff Leal calls this ‘an act of disrespect’ during National Indigenous History Month.

The project is called Gathering, a public artwork by Michael Belmore. It consists of a grouping of glacial erratic boulders, carved and fitted to sit slightly apart, giving the appearance of heat radiating. The stones are embellished with the Treaty 20 Clan Dodems. It was unveiled to the public on Nov. 10, 2022.

The Nogojiwanong Project is a collaboration undertaken in the spirit of kinship between local First Nations, Indigenous peoples and the City of Peterborough, in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20. Through this collaboration, a gathering space was created in 2019. The space encourages learning and reflection through a series of interpretive panels highlighting the evolution of local treaties and the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples.

The display is located next to the Trans Canada Trail near the south end of Water Street in Millennium Park. The piece marks the completion of the Nogojiwanong Project.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Leal has issued the following statement:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the recent vandalism of the Nogojiwanong Project panels at Millennium Park, interpretive signs that honour the 200th anniversary of the signing of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20 and the enduring presence of the Williams Treaties First Nations in this region.

This act of disrespect, particularly during National Indigenous History Month, is a painful reminder of the work still needed to advance truth, understanding, and reconciliation in our community. These panels are more than signs, they are a reflection of the stories, rights, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, and a vital part of how we share and learn from the land we call Nogojiwanong.

While the act of vandalism is deeply disappointing, I am heartened by the swift response of community members. When City staff visited the site this morning, the panels had been restored. I want to sincerely thank those who stepped up and removed the graffiti with care and respect. Your actions speak volumes. You have demonstrated what it means to be true allies.

Millennium Park is also home to the public artwork titled The Gathering by Anishinaabe artist Michael Belmore. This artwork further invites reflection, dialogue, and connection, a space for all of us to come together in recognition of Indigenous history and futures.

Let us use this moment as a call to action, to learn more, to speak out against hate, and to stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities not only this month, but always.”

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Sixth Annual Peterborough VegFest Hits Millennium Park This Sunday

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The sixth annual Peterborough VegFest’s will delight vegetarians and vegans at Millennium Park this Sunday from 11 pa.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event will have 25 food vendors showcasing the local restaurant community and other fantastic small businesses across Ontario.

According to a press release, the event will include a full afternoon of live local music, a kid’s zone, and more.

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Lineup Set For Fourth-Annual Big Band Day in Peterborough at Millennium Park On Sept. 16

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Five bands are set to take the stage at the fourth-annual Big Band Day in Peterborough at Millennium Park on Sept. 16.

Electric City Swing at Princess Gardens during its 25th anniversary in April. Photo by David TUan Bui.

The free concert runs from noon to 5 p.m. with each band getting 45-minute sets with 15-minute periods in between acts.

The concert focuses on the music of the Big Band Era with composers such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Glenn Miller and many more. It covers pop, rock, gospel, funk and classical genres and more contemporary composers.

Line-up:

  • Noon to 12:45 p.m. - Peterborough Concert Band

  • 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. - KnightShift

  • 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. - Northern Spirit Big Band

  • 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Electric City Swing

  • 4 p.m. to 4 :45 p.m. - Ron Marenger Big Band

The outdoor event is weather-dependent with no rain date scheduled.

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Millennium Park Art Installation Marks Completion of The Nogojiwanong Project

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“Gathering,” a new public artwork by Michael Belmore is unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Millennium Park as part of the Nogojiwanong Project on Thursday.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

The Nogojiwanong Project is a collaboration undertaken in the spirit of kinship between local First Nations, Indigenous peoples and the City of Peterborough in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20. Through the collaboration, a gathering space was created in 2019. The space encourages learning and reflection through a series of interpretive panels highlighting the evolution of local treaties and inherent rights of Indigenous peoples.

“Gathering” consists of a grouping of glacial erratic boulders, carved and fitted to sit slightly apart, giving the appearance of heat radiating. The stones are embellished with the Treaty 20 Clan Dodems.

Michael Belmore’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, represented in numerous private collections and in the permanent collections of various institutions including the Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada. Photo by Felicia Massey

“This work at the water’s edge is a kind of collaboration between human and rock, between human lifetime and geological time, or deep time. These stones were moved and rounded by glacial forces a millennia ago,” said Michael Belmore, Anishinaabe artist. “I am deeply honoured that through this project, Gathering can speak to our continued journey.”

The display is located next to the Trans Canada Trail near the south end of Water Street. The piece marks the completion of the Nogojiwanong Project.

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Celebrate the Planet and Dance for Declaration in September

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For Our Grandchildren (4RG), a local climate group will hit the streets dancing in September to celebrate the planet.

For Our Grandchildren selects a different action each month and directs people towards resources highlighted steps one can take towards climate action. Photo courtesy of For Our Grandchildren.

For Our Grandchildren selects a different action each month and directs people towards resources highlighted steps one can take towards climate action. Photo courtesy of For Our Grandchildren.

September 20, 2021 marks the second anniversary of Peterborough’s declaration of a Climate Emergency.

To celebrate and raise awareness 4RG will be hosting an evening of song and dance free for anyone to attend.

The evening will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a ‘Dance for the Planet’ at Millennium Park. Local entertainers The Weber Brothers and Irish Millie will be performing.

The group will walk to Confederation Park at 6:00 p.m. where they hope to have enough attendees to encircle City Hall - symbolizing that we all need to work together to succeed.

There will be speeches explaining what the City of Peterborough has implemented to help the climate emergency in the difficult time of the pandemic as well as what steps can be taken immediately to help. Speakers have not yet been announced.

For more information on this event click here.

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Vibrant New Rainbow Crosswalk Installed At Water & King Near Millennium Park

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The City of Peterborough installed a rainbow crosswalk at Water & King this week to celebrate inclusiveness and diversity in the community.

Photo courtesy DBIA

City of Peterborough Councillor Kemi Akapo tweeted about its impact along with these photos…

The crosswalk has garnered positive reaction from the community.

“I’m so proud of our city for the message this makes. #LoveisLove🌈,” says Kate Wells on a DBIA Facebook thread regarding the new crosswalk.

”This is awesome ... any little step to make everyone feel welcome in this city will help it grow in a positive way,” adds Martin Boruta in the same thread.

Photo via @kemi_akapo

Some commenters mentioned they’d love to see more crosswalks painted in these vibrant colours (there is one other rainbow crosswalk in Peterborough on the campus of Fleming College). Christine Densmore had this to say: “Well don't just color one Crosswalk, color them all in Peterborough! It looks super cute! Happy and bright❤ Creative! 😃”

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The 17th Annual Rotary Ribfest Starts July 12th At Millennium Park

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The 17th Annual Rotary Ribfest takes place in Peterborough from July 12th-14th at Millennium Park.

“Ribfest is three days of live music, delicious food, and cold drinks,” says Terry “Mr. Downtown” Guiel, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Improvement Area. “The ribbers are always a big draw and our local restaurants do a great job of showcasing all kinds of food from around the world, including vegetarian options. It’s a fun, family-friendly event.”

Photo courtesy DBIA

Admission to Rotary Ribfest is free, and the festival will take place the following hours:

• Friday, July 12th: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

• Saturday, July 13th: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

• Sunday, July 14th: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Photo courtesy DBIA

There will be plenty of musical entertainment each day as always, and delicious restaurants participating include…

• Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews

• BrickHouse Craft Burger Grill

• Island Cream Caribbean Cuisine

• Caribbean Sizzle

• McThirsty’s Pint

• La Mesita

• Curry Mantra

Ribber’s Row includes the following..

• Fat Boys

• Boss Hogs BBQ

• Jack the Ribber

• Smokehouse Bandits

• Ontario Corn Roasters

• Summer Fun Funnel Cake


Hungry yet? Don’t miss this.

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Millennium Park To Take On Jurassic Park Feel For Raptors Fans On Game Nights

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Mayor Diane Therrien is hosting the live broadcast of the Toronto Raptors NBA Finals games with a large, outdoor screen in Millennium Park, starting Friday, June 7th, with Game 4 (tipoff is at at 9 p.m).

The live broadcast viewings in Millennium Park (located at 130 King St.) under the stars are free to attend. Bring your blanket for the ground or chair, and join as the community—like other Jurassic Park-type outdoor public viewings across Canada—cheer on the Raptors together as they seek their first NBA championship title.

Mayor Therrien at Jurassic, er, Millennium Park

“We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate Canadian sports,” says Mayor Therrien. “I hope to see everyone there. Go Raptors!”

Toronto Raptors Live broadcast viewings in Millennium Park (130 King St.) are as follows…

• Game 4 – Friday, June 7, 9 p.m.
• Game 5 – Monday, June 10, 9 p.m.
• Game 6 – Thursday, June 13, 9 p.m. (if necessary)
• Game 7 – Sunday, June 16, 8 p.m. (if necessary)

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LOOK: Bike Drive At Millennium Park

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