ELORA – A new contextual display is being proposed for the Jefferson Elora Community Centre to commemorate the history of lacrosse in Centre Wellington and its Indigenous origins.
According to a report, Kristen Bettiol, Centre Wellington’s manager of community development, says staff have been working with the Riverhawks, the Elora Hawks, and Indigenous partners to create a permanent contextual display, to explain the banners’ historical and cultural context and outline the Township’s commitment to ongoing learning and meaningful relationship building with Indigenous communities.
The permanent contextual display is approximately 19.5 feet long and 39 inches tall and would be located in the Jefferson Elora Community Centre, right above the doors to the lobby from the pad.
The banner reads:
“Two Rows Together: A Path of Truth and Accountability
The historical banners of the Centre Wellington Lacrosse organizations are displayed to honour the past successes and the Township’s ongoing commitment to truth, learning and accountability. The Township of Centre Wellington recognizes lacrosse as an Indigenous game known as The Creator’s Game.
The rebranding of the Centre Wellington Riverhawks and the Elora Hawks Jr. B teams reflect a collective effort to honour the strength and resiliency of Turtle Island’s original people and act responsibly, considering the “seven generations to come.”
This display is part of the Township of Centre Wellington’s response to Calls to Action 43, 47, 57 and 79 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner. The Township is committed to ongoing learning and meaningful relationship-building with Indigenous communities.
We all have roles to play on this path. Yours can begin by learning more about our continued journey – Two Rows Together.”
This comes after council direction to remove banners displaying Indigenous-themed logos or names until a relevant policy is implemented to ensure the township remains respectful to all communities.
If the contextual display is approved by council alongside the policy, staff say banners will be reinstalled to the Jefferson Elora Community Centre once the display is installed, likely in time for the 2026 lacrosse season.
You can read the full report here.
