OUR LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENTS
The truth and reconciliation process in Canada is an ongoing conversation.
This page is meant to be a working document to continue this conversation and demonstrate our commitment to upholding the principles of the truth and reconciliation process. We are continually learning how to do better, and how to honour and support Indigenous communities both represented in our centres and in our community at large.
Below is our centres' official land acknowledgement statement as well as statements from members of our community including educators, directors, and our executive director. We hope to add more voices to this page in time! As such, should you wish to add to our statements, or respond with your thoughts and suggestions, please feel free to contact us.
To me, a land acknowledgement statement means that we are recognizing the people that are here, and the people that have been here, and that there are people who have had wrong done to them. I think it’s about us being aware that we don’t own land. And even if we did own land, that there are people that had the land first.
– 1000 WOMEN CHILD CARE CENTRE EDUCATOR
It is important to respect the longstanding history on the land that has supported where we all live, work and play. We must continue to acknowledge the past and historical context of our Indigenous communities.
It is my hope that land acknowledgments help inspire others to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation as well as act in supporting Indigenous communities.
– JASVINDER HERAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I believe that acknowledging that we reside on Treaty 6 land means recognizing and learning from Indigenous People who came before us, and who know the land; understanding what they have gone through and being aware of their past and present struggles. It is about building relationships between cultures, and acknowledging a deep respect from generation to generation, while continuing to learn, and find ways to give back to support our children and communities.
– TRACEY FINDLAY, 1000 WOMEN CHILD CARE CENTRE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
For me it's about the recognition and acceptance, just recognizing that this culture has come before us and the land that we’re on is theirs. The recognition, it’s also our way of apologizing for all those years where there was a lack of recognition and that loss of culture. And acknowledging that pain they went through and seeing our mistakes and bringing back that focus to them. They have such a rich culture, it deserves to be continued and nurtured.
– INTERCULTURAL CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE EDUCATOR
Our Official Statement:
We wish to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is Treaty No. 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground and current home of the First Nations, including both the treaty signatories – Cree, Salteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stony and Cree-Iroquois – as well as other Indigenous Peoples, such as the Blackfoot and Métis, who occupy this land. We also acknowledge that recognizing them as the original stewards of this land is not enough, and urge everyone to learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation process in Canada, and to donate either time, capital, or resources, to local indigenous charities and/or organizations.
