Land Acknowledgement

From our separate homes in OV, the land we are standing on today is traditional Anishnaabe (Mississauga) territory. The Mississaugas of the Credit are the oldest group on this land and they are signatories to all the treaties here. It is also home to other Indigenous nations that have a long presence on this land: the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. Now it is home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaty signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

We also acknowledge the treaties known as the Dish with One Spoon and the Two-Row Wampum.

Land acknowledgements have become increasingly familiar to people – often just one of many agenda items. If we do not continually commit to being allies to Indigenous peoples, these pronouncements will be meaningless. The Truth and Reconciliation Report was released in 2015 with 94 calls to action. Calls number 71 - 76 deal with missing children. We should not be surprised at the ongoing revelations of the remains of bodies at residential schools.

There are several ways to move forward:

We can educate ourselves.

We can donate to support residential school survivors and their families.

We can stand up for climate justice. Indigenous peoples have suffered disproportionately from the effects of the climate crisis. They continue to play a major role in defending our land, air, water and forests.

OV NAP’s direct connection is Vaughan Rd. which was built as early as 1850; but before then was a trail used by the First Nations.

In addition, OV NAP recognizes the struggles of people from all ethnicities, genders and orientations. We are well aware of these struggles here in our community and are determined to support them.

Today’s land acknowledgement reminds us that as the pandemic continues, we look forward to everyone’s well-being and a just recovery for all - and for the planet.