The Creemore
ECHO
Friday, June 18, 2021 Vol. 21 No. 25
www.creemore.com
News and views in and around Creemore
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Creedan Valley celebrates end of COVID-19 outbreak by Trina Berlo Creedan Valley Care Community long-term care home celebrated the end of an outbreak with a visit from an ice-cream truck Wednesday. Executive director Sadie Friesner said she wanted to thank everyone for having successfully navigated an outbreak avoiding any spread within the facility and preventing deaths. “We wanted to do something special to thank the staff and residents,” said Friesner, adding that June is also Seniors Month in Ontario. The outbreak was declared over on June 5 and involved only staff that had acquired the virus in the community and had no link to the workplace. An outbreak was first declared on April 15 and was declared over on May 11 but the facility went back into outbreak on May 18. Although it was technically recorded as two outbreaks by Simcoe Muskoka District Health
Unit, they were related. “It was so amazing that the staff adapted so well. They just stepped up,” said Friesner. “They are an amazing team and we are thanking them through their tummies,” she said with a laugh. “The residents have fared very well, they have been very understanding,” she said. “It’s not easy going through an outbreak.” Friesner said she is pleased to report that of the 61 residents, 98 per cent have had two doses of vaccine and of the 84 staff, 94 per cent have had a first dose with second doses coming soon. She said thanks to a change in directives, Creedan Valley has welcomed back essential caregivers and is able to host outdoor gatherings like the one on Wednesday, where residents can be together with friends and family.
Staff photo: Trina Berlo
Creedan Valley Care Community long-term care home resident Mark Enns enjoys an ice cream with his sister Ginger Carney, who is visiting from California.
Mayor explores Indigenous land acknowledgement by Trina Berlo Clearview Township Mayor Doug Measures said he is working on a land acknowledgement to read before council meetings and he is welcoming input from the community. He said he has been researching the appropriate land acknowledgement but has been struggling because the land that is now Clearview is not specified in any of the First Nations treaties other than the Williams Treaties of 1923 that includes all of Simcoe County. He acknowledged that the Petun who have a strong ancestral connection to this area are not part of any treaty. “Council at this point has not been satisfied that we are in a position to speak a true land acknowledgement that honours the Indigenous people that
once inhabited our community lands,” said Measures. The statement was in response to a letter from Christopher Dodd asking what steps are being taken to develop a land acknowledgement and when it could be expected that one would be read at the beginning of all public meetings in the township? Dodd said that the call for reconciliation has grown louder and more urgent with the tragic discovery of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. “Land acknowledgements are deeply rooted in Indigenous culture. Giving thanks, respect, and honouring the land and ancestors is a common practice within Indigenous communities,” he
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writes. “This custom has been revived for administrative and ceremonial meetings all over Ontario and right across Canada. Acknowledging a traditional territory shows recognition of – and respect for – Indigenous peoples, which is the first step down the path of reconciliation. It is a highly symbolic gesture without legal or political consequence. When an Indigenous land acknowledgement is heartfelt and real, municipal leaders, staff, and meeting members pause, reflect, and consider how to repair the damaged relationship between Canadians and Indigenous peoples and how to impact positive change. It sends a powerful message to our communities, and from our communities.”
Measures said he is working on it and he expects to bring something back to council at some point. “It’s an interesting predicament that we, as a municipal government are in because we obviously want to do the right thing and recognize the ancestral heritage of these lands but we also don’t want to speak incorrectly and identify Indigenous groups and nations that are not part of this land. It is something that we need to do,” said Measures. He thanked Dodd for bringing forth the question and welcomed anyone who could provide clarity on the creation of the land acknowledgment to get in touch. The mayor can be reached at dmeasures@clearview.ca or write to all of council at council@clearview.ca.