Seasonal Newsletter: September 2023

The Importance of Truth and Reconciliation Day

By: Rachel Chung 

As students attending YRDSB schools we are all more than familiar with the land acknowledgement. Our mornings start off with the familiar words spoken softly and solemnly over PA Systems: “We affirm that we are all treaty people and acknowledge that the York Region District School Board is located on the lands of two treaties…” But how many of us are actually listening? How many of us take the time to understand and reflect upon the horrors that Indigenous, Métis and Inuit children our age were facing? 

 The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, formerly known as orange shirt day is a fairly new federal holiday—but it shouldn’t be. As Canadians we should’ve apologized to the Indigenous, Inuit and Métis community years ago. To put it simply, we shouldn’t have done what we did in the first place. There is no excuse for what Canada’s European settlers did to the Indigenous, Inuit and Métis peoples, who were their guides and companions in a new, unfamiliar country. Canadian settlers accepted the kindnesses given to them by the Indigenous community and then they began to eradicate them from this country. They took away their homes, their traditions, their pride, and their children.

There is statistic after statistic after statistic regarding the wrongs that were dealt to the Indigenous, Métis and Inuit population of Canada. According to the Daily Mail “An estimated 6,000 children are believed to have died at the school.” The Guardian states that “As of September 2021, more than 1, 300 unmarked graves have been found across the sites of five former residential schools.” These children died of illness, starvation and neglect. While they lived in those schools they lived lives of abuse, malnourishment and oppression. They were stripped of their identities and their culture and they were brutally forced into the government’s idea of a Canadian citizen. 

The last residential school closed in 1996. More than two decades later, Canadians have still not found a way to apologize to the communities that we hurt. How do you apologize for commiting genocide? How do you say “I’m sorry” for something you did with intent and with malice for decades? How do we, the general Canadian public, finally make it up to the communities we have so grievously wronged? 

On September 30th we cannot simply put on an orange shirt and enjoy a day off.  It is wrong for us to treat the suffering of Indigenous, Métis and Inuit peoples as a thing of the past. Because the truth is out of all Canadian citizens, Indigenous, Métis and Inuit communities see the lowest quality of life. Right now, as you are reading this article, Indigenous children are drinking water contaminated with all sorts of toxins. Up North, Inuit families are paying double or even triple the price we pay for groceries. Not enough is being done to truly recognize the struggles that Indigenous, Métis and Inuit communities face. 

But it is also wrong for us to view these strong, culturally rich and resilient communities as weak. They have been through hell. Canada has stolen and killed their children, stripped away their traditional lands and their culture and they continue to persevere. So this Saturday, September 30, 2023 take the time to reflect, truly reflect upon the trials the Indigenous, Métis and Inuit people of Canada faced and continue to face. Take the time to celebrate their stories and their strength. Let it be the first day, the first step in the long road to reconciliation. 

Heated Opinions on the Markville Secondary Redevelopment Plan

By: Joanne Liang

Urban development is no unfamiliar topic to the areas of York Region; we can see it happening right around the corner of every one of our neighbourhoods. However, one recent proposal has been gaining more attention lately from citizens and critics alike: The Markville Secondary Plan.

Essentially, this plan consists of a 14-building expansion around the areas of CF Markville Mall, one of the City of Markham’s most popular locations to date. In preparation of steering Markham’s development towards intensification, this plan features expanded public realms, improved transportation, the protection of Natural Heritage areas and many more additions.

(photo: City of Markham)

The thing is, this proposal isn’t actually that recent; news of it had already begun making its way around during July of 2023 and even up to January, back when the Markville Secondary Plan entered phase four out of five total phases. What boosted its popularity more recently, however, is the fact that residents of Markham have actually started rallying to push back the plan. 

(photo: York Region)

According to York Region, the number of residents is expected to increase by 40,000 to 50,000 while Premier Doug Ford plans to integrate more homes to ease the Ontario housing crisis. However, for locals, the inevitable increase in traffic along Highway 7 and McCowan Road proves to be detrimental to their way of living. These two roads host some of the most travelled through intersections in all of Markham; urbanising the Markville area–– therefore, attracting even larger populations–– without considering the strain on surrounding roads means that it’ll take a long time before Markham’s transportation can smoothly adapt to these changes.

At the same time, it poses a problem to the nearby Markville Secondary School, which is already experiencing a capacity issue of its own. Students at the school have already reported being unable to navigate through hallways, having their classes moved to portables, and a growing budget issue for school activities as a result of the increase in student admittance. 

“I'm worried about how much more crowded our school will get.” One student says. “We already have everyone sharing lockers and we lack enough seating for students at lunchtime. Half of the students go out to eat food, and yet many have to sit on the ground as the cafeteria and available tables around the school are taken up by other students.”

Local concerns, such as healthcare waitlines only further prove that Markham is not yet ready to expand its population. On average, the estimated wait time for an Ontario walk-in is 25 minutes. For the ER, this extends to over two hours; meanwhile, booking appointments with a specialised doctor is a whole other topic, the booking process spanning across weeks and sometimes even months. Just imagine what will happen after the Markville Secondary Plan is installed and how long it’ll take for locals to adjust!

Currently, there is also a petition being passed around in Markham communities, which can be found here: https://www.markhamcommunityca.com/ 

Without a doubt, the Markville Secondary Plan poses an opportunity to steer Markham towards a path of sustainability. However, the residents of Markham are rallying for a justified cause. Some of Markham's current systems are already struggling and won’t be able to accommodate these new numbers. If not implemented with population growth in mind, this plan could seriously impact living conditions for the current local community of Markham.

Upcoming Halloween Plans?

By: Joanne Liang

Whew, enough of all that heavy talk. Luckily, if there’s one thing we can look forward to after the end of September… It's Halloween!! The notorious time of year where everybody gets to dress up in their most freaky fits and head out for a night of pure adrenaline rush.

Got any upcoming plans to do with friends or family? If not, fret no more, because we’ve got your back. Here are some awesome local celebrations happening within the vicinity of York Region that you can participate in to join in on the Halloween festivities.

1. Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland — Vaughan, ON

Without a doubt, the Halloween Haunt is a Canadian classic! Featuring tons of fun activities like scare zones, haunted houses and beautiful live performances, it’s definitely one of the best places to visit in a group. From head to toe, the amusement park is revamped over for that spooky feeling; just walking around the park is terrifying enough! 

(image: Canada's Wonderland)

1. Five Nights at Freddy’s at Cineplex — Richmond Hill, ON

FNAF, a childhood trauma. Finally, the horror game is getting its own movie adaptation! The story revolves around a newly hired security guard who works the night shift at Freddy Frazzbear’s Pizza, but eventually discovers the hidden horrors lurking inside the building–– quote Cineplex. That’s not too far off from the original game’s plot, actually. Set to release on October 27th, 2023, there’s more than enough time to call up your friends and head to the movies for a classic horror night! 

1. Toronto After Dark Film Festival at Scotiabank Theatre — Toronto, ON

For 17 years, Toronto After Dark has been featuring films submitted by applicants all over the world, spanning across the horror, sci-fi and action genres. This year is no different, taking place at Scotiabank Theatre during October 18th to 22nd. Tons of gruesome, terrifying and passionate works will be displayed for thousands of festival goers to enjoy, and there are also Q&A’s and social events afterwards that feature the filmmakers themselves! If you’re someone who loves cinematography and thriller, you’ll love Toronto After Dark. 

After 3 months of hiatus, the YloYR Newsletter is finally back! This year, we're so excited to be able to share with you even more thoughtful pieces of writing as well as local articles. We hope they're to your standards ;) That’s all for this month’s seasonal newsletter! We’ll see you in the next instalment!

Your awesome writers,

Joanne and Rachel