Healing Circles and Resources to Address Nogojiwanong Project Vandalism

Peterborough, ON – In response to the vandalism of the Nogojiwanong Project Panels in Millennium Park, where graffiti was reported on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the City of Peterborough is holding a Healing Circle for those who may have been affected by the incident and is providing the following reference to available supports: 

• Talk 4 Healing, a culturally grounded, fully confidential help line for Indigenous women that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, provided by Aboriginal Alert, Canada’s Indigenous Awareness, 1-855-554-4325, https://www.aboriginalalert.ca/service-providers/talk-4-healing 
• Provincial mental health supports directory provided by Canadian Mental Health Association, https://ontario.cmha.ca/provincial-mental-health-supports/ 
• Kids Help Phone, Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to Canadians aged 5 to 29 who want confidential and anonymous care from trained responders. Visit the Kids Help Phone website for online chat support or to access online resources for children and youth. 
• Hope for Wellness Help Line, Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect to the online Hope for Wellness chat. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples seeking emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community-based services. Support is available in English and French and, by request, in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut. 

A virtual Healing Circle will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 and an in-person Healing Circle will be held at the Nogojiwanong Project location in Millennium Park from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Participants of the in-person Healing Circle are asked to bring their own lawn chair, if desired. 

The virtual Healing Circle is created as a safe and supportive space for community members to share and reflect on the impact of the recent defacing of the Nogojiwanong Project — a set of three interpretive panels commemorating the 200th anniversary of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20. This gathering is especially intended to support Indigenous community members and allies, offering an opportunity to come together, listen, and contribute to the healing process. 

Registration is required to attend the virtual Healing Circle. Registration closes at noon on Monday, June 16, 2025. Space is limited to ensure an opportunity for all attendees to participate. Those who register will receive the link to attend the meeting. The registration form is available on the City’s website at https://form.peterborough.ca/Virtual-Healing-Circle-Registration.   

Activities related to Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples’ Day are planned for June. Details are available online at peterborough.ca/NIHM.