Oakville is rich in the history and modern traditions of many First Nations. From the lands of the Anishinabe to the Attawandaron and Haudenosaunee, these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in First Nations history.
Oakville is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We acknowledge and thank the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Treaty holders, for being stewards of this traditional territory.
- Learn more about Treaty 22, which encompasses the lands at 12 Mile Creek (Bronte Creek) and 16 Mile Creek in Oakville, and Treaty 14 (Head of the Lake Purchase) through 20 permanent educational signs in prominent Oakville locations including Twelve Mile Creek Lookout, Coronation Park, Gairloch Gardens, Riverview Park and Bronte Beach Park as part of The Debwewin Project.
- Visit Oakville’s first-ever orange crosswalk at the intersection of Thomas and Church streets. The crosswalk honours children of the residential school system, and provides the public with not only the opportunity to reflect on generational impact, trauma and oppression endured by Indigenous peoples in Canada, but to also learn more about the treaty lands Oakville resides on, and Indigenous culture.
- Enjoy a walk along two Moccasin Trails and explore the history of the lands from an Indigenous perspective. Follow one trail along Sixteen Mile Creek Inner Valley to Dundas Street West at Lions Valley or the other trail located along Bronte Creek Heritage Trail near Rebecca and Mississaga streets.
- Visit the Oakville Public Library’s Truth and Reconciliation page for book recommendations and more.
- For more reading about Oakville's Indigenous Culture and Community, visit the Town of Oakville's webpage here.