Welcome sign planned for Sarnia city hall

A multi-language welcome sign is coming to Sarnia city hall.

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One of the projects from the city’s United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples working group, the $8,500 sign is expected to be in place by the end of the year, said Coun. Anne Marie Gillis.

The mural-like sign in English, French and Ojibwe will also incorporate imagery from local First Nations, she said, including local waterways as a trading hub and meeting place, and references to the Three Fires Confederacy.

“It’s a sign but it’s more than a sign,” said Gillis, a member of the 2018-founded group that includes city councilors, community members and representatives from local First Nations.

Gillis called the sign an extension of the territory acknowledgment read at the beginning of Sarnia city council meetings since late 2019, that also says Sarnia has resolved to implement the United Nation’s declaration.

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The city characterized the document as an attestation of the rights of Indigenous people to foster their own languages, cultures and communities, while also having equitable access to things like health care, education and jobs.

The pending sign, expected to be visible from either side of city hall, is to welcome “people to the fact that you are on First Nations’ territory” and signify city hall as a gathering place where decisions are made, Gillis said.

Design details are being firmed up with Seventh Ray Design Co., she said, contracted for the project 7-1 by council. Coun. Bill Dennis was opposed and Coun. Dave Boushy was absent.

The sign has been eyed by the UNDRIP working group since at least 2022, when a six-item work plan that included the sign, commemorative crosswalks and a local summit was endorsed by council.

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Orange crosswalks in the city have since been installed, a flag plaza recognizing local First Nations built along the city’s waterfront, and hopes are for a summit sometime later this year, Gillis said.

Plans have been pushed back multiple times on the $25,000 summit idea, also billed as a community conversation to hear input on priorities for UNDRIP, including whether to look at things like renaming Indian Road, training for front-line workers on recognizing intergenerational trauma, and creating spaces for ceremonies.

Plans were to have the summit June 12, Gillis said, but it was postponed again amid benzene concerns in Aamjiwnaang First Nation, including a state of emergency declaration and calls for a local company to be shut down.

Ineos Styrolution recently announced its Sarnia site will close permanently by 2026.

Sarnia council earlier this month also passed a motion putting its support behind Aamjiwnaang.

Hopefully the summit will be held in October, Gillis said.

“But we’re in a hold position right now until things are cleared up for Aamjiwnaang and they can concentrate their efforts on something other than the protection and safety of their own people,” she said.

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