Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge that the land which we are gathered on today is the traditional territory of the Anishinabek Nation; specifically, the Chippewa Tri – Council comprised of the Chippewas of Beausoleil, Rama and Georgina Island First Nations and more recently the Mississaugas of the Credit River First Nation.

Ontario is covered by 46 treaties and other agreements and is home to many Indigenous Nations from across Turtle Island, including the Inuit and the Métis. These treaties and other agreements, including the One Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, are agreements to peaceably share and care for the land and its resources. Other Indigenous Nations, Europeans, and newcomers were invited into this covenant in the spirit of respect, peace, and friendship.

Most of us have come here as settlers, immigrants, or newcomers in this generation or generations past.

We are all Treaty people.  Every day we are mindful of broken covenants, and we strive to make this right. We commit to collaborating based on the foundational assumption that Indigenous Peoples have the power, strength, and competency to develop culturally specific strategies for their communities.  We are dedicated to honouring Indigenous self-determination, history, and culture, and are committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect with all First Nation, Métis and Inuit people.