I speak to you today not only as a proud community member of Toronto, but as a Two-Spirit Indigenous leader who carries the voices, dreams, and pain of my people. I am Agokwe — a living embodiment of our rich traditions, our sacred roles, and our rightful place within our Nations and this city.

We, the Two-Spirit community, were named in “The Journey Together: Ontario’s Commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples” — a provincial pledge that responded to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. This document was also informed by the efforts of the Toronto Aboriginal Support Service’s Council’s community research efforts, which included surveying Two-Spirit community members and evidencing the community will for child and family friendly environments that were centred and grounded in Two-Spirited teachings and community.

The provincial Journey Together plan promised a better future — one that would expand access to child and family programs specifically for Indigenous and Two-Spirit people living in urban settings like Toronto.

Yet here we are, nearly eight years later, and those promises remain unfulfilled.

Two-Spirit children, caregivers, and families continue to face an alarming lack of inclusion. There are no dedicated Two-Spirit-led child and family programs in this city. None. The spaces meant to support our families — to nurture our children, to uplift our culture, to affirm our identities — are either inaccessible, non-existent, or not led by those who live and breathe the Two-Spirit experience. The 2018 Forgotten Voices Report conducted with 2-Spirited People of the First Nations and other partners also evidences our hopes and dreams. 

We are not invisible. We are not a footnote.

The City of Toronto had an opportunity to act with courage and integrity through the recent Miziwe Biik EarlyON and Child Care Expression of Interest. This was a chance to show that the City of Toronto is listening — that it values its Indigenous residents and honours the sacred roles Two-Spirit people hold within our communities.

Instead, that opportunity was ignored. Swept aside like so many others since “The Journey Together” was published in 2017. Eight years of inaction. Eight years of broken promises.

We support all Indigenous applicants  and respect all past and recently awarded organizations and this statement is not a reflection of our concern with any organization but rather that of government process, failed promises and approaches that continue to harm Two-Spirit communities.

There are over 80,000 Indigenous people living in Toronto — and many of us are Two-Spirit. We know that 1 in 5 Indigenous families are led by a Two-Spirit person in Toronto. These are families who deserve culturally grounded, identity-affirming support and space to call our own. These are children who deserve to grow up proud, seen, and safe. These are children and families who deserve to be celebrated!

This is not simply about programming. This is about Reconciliation. This is about dignity. This is about justice.

The City of Toronto must be held accountable. We are calling on you — our allies, our relatives, our neighbours — to stand with us.

Demand that the city remember its promises. Demand that Two-Spirit families are no longer an afterthought. Demand the expansion and creation of Indigenous, Two-Spirit-led child and family programs.

Sign this petition. Raise your voice. Help us ensure that “The Journey Together” doesn’t become just another forgotten voices document — but a living commitment to our futures.

We are still here. And we are done waiting.