Trent University faculty, staff, students and alumni joined members of the broader Peterborough community and local First Nations groups on October 7 for a special event to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the 1763 Royal Proclamation between the British Government and the (now called) First Nations.

The Peterborough area commemoration featured a walk from Confederation Park, across from City Hall, down George Street to Little Lake. Between 80-100 participated in the event, which culminated at Little Lake with several keynote speakers, including Dr. David Newhouse, Onondaga from Six Nations and professor of Indigenous Studies at Trent and Dave Mowat, Alderville First Nation. An aboriginal Elder closed the gathering.

In addition to the Peterborough event, Trent University also participated in a commemoration event in London, England. Trent History professor Dr. John Milloy travelled to London with a delegation from Canada, including Perry Belgrade from the Federated Saskatchewan Indian Nation and others from the Treaty Portfolio. They attended at the Church of the Guards Chapel to address the anniversary.  Canada's deputy high commissioner also attended the ceremony after hosting a breakfast at Canada House for the delegation of about 30 people. Earlier in the trip a ceremony and wreath laying was held at the Guards Chapel in remembrance of the First Nations soldiers of WWI.

Photo credit: Georgie Horton-Baptiste