| Event Name | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Red Dress Day Ceremony and Installation | Health and Active Living Plaza (Indoor Boardwalk), 160 Jim Mortson Drive | Date and Time: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 from 1 to 6 p.m., with an opening ceremony from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Description: Each year, May 5 marks the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ Peoples (MMIWG2S+) and Red Dress Day. This year, the Town is holding its first Red Dress Day Installation, titled Whispering Spirits. All residents are invited to attend. The Red Dress Day Installation: Whispering Spirits will honour and raise awareness about the epidemic of MMIWG2S+. The installation will feature reflection stations with context that supports learning and shares ways to take action. It will also include displayed red dresses and other ephemera (everyday items with symbolic meaning) that represent the lives of the MMIWG2S+ who were stolen from us. The Installation will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Individuals can drop in to visit the Installation during this timeframe. From 1 to 1:30 p.m., the Indigenous Action Committee will lead an opening ceremony. |
| Pride and National Indigenous History Month Celebration | Health and Active Living Plaza, 160 Jim Mortson Drive | Date and Time: Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Description: Visit www.eastgwillimbury.ca/PrideNIHM for full details. |
| Newcomer Welcoming Week in East Gwillimbury | Health and Active Living Plaza, 160 Jim Mortson Drive | Date and Time: Saturday, September 12, 2026 Description: Details to be announced. Please save the date. |
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Town of East Gwillimbury (EG) is committed to creating an accessible, equitable, and inclusive municipality. On this page you will find events, updates, information, and resources related to the Town's work as it relates to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This includes the Town's work on Truth and Reconciliation. To learn about the Town's work as it relates to compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), visit here.
Land Acknowledgement
The Town of East Gwillimbury recognizes and acknowledges the lands originally used and occupied by the First Peoples of the Williams Treaties First Nations and other Indigenous Peoples, and on behalf of the mayor and council, we would like to thank them for sharing this land. We would also like to acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as East Gwillimbury’s closest First Nation community and recognize the unique relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this territory. They are the water protectors and environmental stewards of these lands, and we join them in these responsibilities.
Upcoming Events
The following is a list of events being held by the Town that are related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Truth and Reconciliation:
Action Plan and Commitments
Approved by EG Council in October 2024, the IIDEA Action Plan identifies 73 internal and external-facing initiatives that will guide the Town’s work and contribute to a community where diversity is celebrated, programs, spaces, and services are accessible and equitable, and everyone feels a sense of belonging. EG is also proud to be a signatory of the York Region Inclusion Charter, and takes action to uphold the Inclusion Charter commitments both within our organization and in the community. These commitments are part of the Town's foundation.
Read EG's 2024-2027 IIDEA Action Plan Read the York Region Inclusion Charter
Background
The York Region Inclusion Charter was signed by the Town of East Gwillimbury on April 10, 2019. The Inclusion Charter was developed in conjunction the York Region Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group (MDIG) which includes twenty member organizations. Co-Chaired by York Region and York Regional Police, MDIG is a community collaboration brings together municipalities, police services, hospitals, school boards, conservation authorities and agencies with a common commitment to welcoming and inclusive communities.
Inclusion Charter Commitments
The Inclusion Charter outlines our commitment to welcoming and inclusive communities and workplaces and includes:
- Sharing the vision of York Region as a welcoming and inclusive community;
- Creating an inclusive environment with equality for all who work, live, and play here;
- The Charter reflects an evolving approach in support of existing federal and provincial legislation;
- Outlining our commitment to action with other participating organizations;
- Providing a framework for promoting programs, services, facilities, and workplaces; and,
- Affirming commitment to inclusion.
EG’s 2024-2027 Indigeneity, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IIDEA) Action Plan
Inclusive Language Guide and Diversity Calendar
As a member organization of the York Region Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group (MDIG), East Gwillimbury contributed to the development of MDIG's Inclusive Language Guide. Readers can use the Guide to navigate inclusive language questions and challenges at work, school and home. Additionally, to create a more inclusive and welcoming community through promoting awareness and dialogue, York Region has made the Multifaith Action’s Society’s diversity calendar electronically available.
View MDIG's Inclusive Language Guide Visit Multifaith Action Society's Diversity Calendar
Note: an alternative format of the guide can be requested through York Region.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in a Small Municipality
Check out the October 2021 issue of Municipal World, featuring an article written by EG's General Manager of Corporate Services. The article highlights the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion and what EG is doing to increase awareness and diversity within our communities.
An alternative format for PDF's are available upon request.
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