Meadows West Music

The students, staff, and communities of Winnipeg School Division are committed to truth and reconciliation through building relationships with Mother Earth, the original peoples of this land, and the stories that bring us together. We acknowledge the place in which we gather is on Treaty 1 territory, the homeland of the Red River Métis, and the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Muskegon/Néhinaw (Swampy Cree), Ininiwak (Cree), and Dakota Oyate peoples.

Winnipeg was named for Lake Winnipeg, known as Win-nipi (murky or muddy water) in Cree and Ojibwe. Other place names for this land include ᐑᓂᐯᐠ (Cree), Wīnipēk (modern Cree spelling), Wiinibig, Ouenpig (Anishinaabemowin) and Wiinibiigong (modern Anishinaabemowin spelling).

Canada's first treaty, also known as Stone Fort Treaty, was negotiated between July 27th and Aug 3, 1871 at Lower Fort Garry. Seven First Nations are signatories of Treaty One, including: Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Long Plain First Nation, Peguis First Nation, Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, Sagkeeng First Nation, Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, and Swan Lake First Nation.

Thank you to the Anishinaabeg in Shoal Lake 40 First Nation on Treaty 3 territory for use of the water from their traditional Lands. While the city of Winnipeg's website describes the Winnipeg aquaduct project of 1919 as an engineering marvel, Shoal Lake 40 states that it was built on old burial grounds, displaced the original Ojibwa village occupants to a man-made island and cut them off from their own access to clean drinking water.

In 2017, the construction of Freedom Road began, which allowed building materials to be brought into the community. In September of 2021, a new water treatment facility was completed, which ended a 24-year boil water advisory and allowed Shoal Lake 40's residents to enjoy the same quality of water as we do in Winnipeg.

When we make music, our sounds and movements resound and reverberate in the air, through the waters, in and on the Land. We promise to sing whole-heartedly, dance fearlessly and step softly, with respect and love for all.

REFEFENCES:

First Nations Place Names

Treaties

Shoal Lake 40 First Nations History

Ojibwe Dictionary

City of Winnipeg History

City of Winnipeg Water