land acknowledgement canada

In Canada, land acknowledgements became popular after the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report (which argued that the country's Indian residential school … Objectives of this Guidance Document: City of Toronto staff and partners, can use this document to guide their practice and actions, around the Land Acknowledgement. Roque looks to the origins of land acknowledgements amongst Indigenous peoples as inspiration and testimony to their importance, sharing that First Peoples often placed themselves in relation to their connection to the land they were born from (in), describing that Indigenous peoples recognize and honour their connection to the land. You’ll hear a perspective that you’ve never heard before that relates first-hand to centuries of oppression, but also a story of strength and resurgence. Land Acknowledgement Land Acknowledgements are becoming an increasingly common practice when hosting events and activities across Canada. 2 0 obj It honours the authentic history of North America, its original people and tells the story of the creation of this country […] Indigenous land acknowledgement. “I have seen variations and interpretation like this and the audience was deeply impacted.”. Sara Roque, a filmmaker who worked for years as the Indigenous arts officer at the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), has seen many land acknowledgements, both across Turtle Island and in other Indigenous communities such as in Australia and New Zealand. When we start to connect the necessary dots to gain a thorough understanding of why land acknowledgements are important, we’re faced with some harsh truths about injustices that have happened—and are still happening—right here in Canada, often carried out by institutions we’ve believed in and trusted. She understands how the scripted ones can be seen as a “yawn”—it’s a reaction she has witnessed from both audiences and jury panels and adds that it quickly becomes clear when speakers either don’t have a full understanding of land acknowledgements or are just reciting words. Rethinking the practice and performance of Indigenous land acknowledgement. As Canadians, we have to understand that Indigenous people are healing and that each person’s healing path is as different as their life experiences. Here is an example acknowledgement: A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories. In my opinion, when they are dry, scripted and obviously hold no meaning to the speaker, I am critical—but I also appreciate that at least they’re being done in more and more spaces. (Bonus: You’ll also receive our free “25 ways to give back (without even trying)” booklet.) Make a difference now: You can do that for years and years and it starts to feel like a performativity task and you ask yourself, ‘Why am I doing this?’,” she says. Digging deep to look at how our personal biases might contribute to discrimination can be tough, but the work of personal introspection isn’t supposed to be easy. 7 0 obj -Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group, Ontario, Canada A territory or land acknowledgment is a statement that recognizes the traditional land of the Indigenous people who have lived in a particular place. For some, an Indigenous Land or Territorial Acknowledgement might be an unfamiliar practice, but it is a common protocol within Indigenous communities in the United States and is a standard practice in both Australia and Canada. Inspired by the 94 recommended calls to action contained in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (now known as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, or NCTR), land acknowledgements are a necessary first step toward honouring the original occupants of a place. This land was—and still is—Turtle Island, already inhabited for well over 10,000 years by thriving traditional territories, bands and confederacies of Indigenous people. Chances are, you’ve seen or heard a land acknowledgement at some point in the past few years. Check out our land acknowledgment event livestream, and hear his comments at the 27-minute mark. Acknowledging the land is an Indigenous practice that has been happening for thousands of years. “[They] help redefine how people place themselves in relation to First Peoples.”, Nanibush spearheaded the installation of multilingual labels for the AGO’s permanent collection of Canadian and Indigenous art, which is housed in the newly renamed J.S. Land Acknowledgement. Land acknowledgements are an honest and historically accurate way to recognize the traditional First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit territories of a place. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Blinch In the past few years if you’ve attended a progressive event—especially an arts event—chances are that it started with a … Below is information that may help you in both your use and understanding of a land acknowledgement. <>/Metadata 414 0 R/ViewerPreferences 415 0 R>> Canadian Theatre Review, 177 (1), 20–30. Years of experience have shown Roque that real change—such as land acknowledgements being more than just a rote exercise—doesn’t happen without institutions walking with integrity by supporting and properly consulting with Indigenous practitioners. They can be presented verbally or visually: think signage, short theatre presentations or simple spoken-word greetings. Inspired by the 94 recommended calls to action contained in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (now known as the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, or NCTR), land acknowledgements are a necessary first step toward honouring the original occupants of a place. (Ojibway is a dialect of Anishinaabemowin.) Recognizing how generations before us have individually oppressed others doesn’t necessarily mean we are admitting to being bad people today. The Canada Council for the Arts acknowledges that our offices, located in Ottawa, are on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial. These are big things to grapple with, and you’ll find that most Indigenous people are understanding of that. Land Acknowledgement We recognize and respect the Kanien’kehà:ka as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we meet today. stream The wording of the territorial acknowledgement changes depending on whether there exists a modern territorial agreement or treaty (traditional territory) or not (unceded traditional territory) between the Nation and Canada. Because we are all guests on this land—nobody owns her. If you have further questions, please reach out to inclusivity@girlguides.ca. endobj Offering a land acknowledgment has become a symbol of reconciliation and almost standard protocol for public gatherings across Canada, particularly at … But these are important things to think about—and more importantly, they’re actionable steps toward legitimate reconciliation. The recognition of territory shows respect for Indigenous peoples. �?�=A�8��8*��ɰ�B��}��x%��(�\}��A�� i��]��d��.�fB6$�6��0��i.`�[��e��{�_!��c�⇻�{��A@˼�s��C��9W�a�!��;g��ڐR&}0J8�,��>�r�_�_�3��ݥ��1�2P�!&3P�dK̸d�ʱ�b��㧵f;�g��W̃�q�F��h��(GC��#:bn�15�01�GS�4/dC@z4�M-��w��P#��%�a�a�7��z��I�'w�ׅaց��t�9�aut��DK�ͥ��ѣngb��/�b��8��Y(��Ov�e\��(=��*K�%�(�nr�p()��@��"V��1+��'^UTyB5�(��Q{�cQ�,��v)Y)�j4C7ΆJ��&U�|�=[��Q|{qlj�;� �oO7�}#j�̞��mӴ�|�]�3.�\�2�۬Ծ�T�P?=z�M�Dj��BAZ�}�P�{�4u.Wx��-R@^ �)��om82��)��h-�y�:�Bjv�J�Q��%�# But it’s the First Peoples who are her stewards and direct descendants, who hold the ancestral and genetic blood memory, knowledge of enriching philosophies, land-based skills and intrinsic belief systems that future generations will depend upon, regardless of cultural lineage. It’s about relational location: having an umbilicus to where you’re from and how to follow it. Know that proving and understanding identity is something that First Nation, Métis and Inuit people have to do every day. Listen. When we’re being honest about why land acknowledgements are important—recognition of the attempted genocide of Indigenous peoples in Canada, which spans centuries—they might seem like an inadequate gesture. This is considered a first step, done to acknowledge and honour the First Peoples that have lived here for thousands of years, First Peoples & Traditional Territory, • Land acknowledgements – video (Whose Land), • Native-land.ca mapping project and blog, • Land acknowledgements are a good first step, but there’s a lot more work to be done (Today’s Parent), • Beyond 94: Truth and Reconciliation in Canada (CBC), • Tide is turning on Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people (The Globe and Mail), • Canada’s #Next150 Years Will Start With A Territory Acknowledgement (Animikii), • Why our kids need to learn about residential schools (Today’s Parent), Where to donate baby gear in Toronto and the GTA, What to donate to homeless shelters – and what to skip, J.S. <> stream A land acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and lasting relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territory. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Acknowledging territory and First Peoples should take place within the larger context of genuine and ongoing work to forge real … The templates are designed to allow for customization. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your weekend off on a high note. We encourage campus community members to not only acknowledge the “I think when land acknowledgements are approached with humility and as a learning opportunity, that knowledge and that learning process can be transmitted to others.” Roque advocates taking a collaborative approach, which includes considering “how land acknowledgements are [handled] to reflect an inclusion of Indigenous worldviews, and challenging and rebalancing the whole idea that Indigenous people have been erased from the history of this land.”, Roque agrees that research and consultation are integral to this process. A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. To build respectful relationships, acknowledging the land is an important part of reconciliation. A land acknowledgement without action is just a statement.” Mishenene, who is Ojibwa from Eabametoong First Nation, uses a mind, body and spirit approach—her own interpretation of Indigenous world views—when talking to Canadian settlers about land acknowledgements. x��XKo�8��ir�q�)P�==x��C��Qw��CI�嗼4�bJ$g�o^�H��M��1{*��fx[��m8^��p��s>�8[,W�b�^ ��S�u1ߌF0��_�g�y��X�{�i�7| � $.' “I think of the practice of giving tobacco as an Indigenous person. Today’s land acknowledgements contradict what many of us were taught, even if we’ve been out of school for just a few years—not to mention with how our own Canadian identity is reflected through our family histories. “It would be so neat to see [land acknowledgements] done more frequently in the languages representative of regions, wherein the words are embodied though an impactful, opening performance,” she says. Part of the point in making land acknowledgements is to recognize how systemic and institutional systems of power have oppressed Indigenous peoples, and how that oppression has historically influenced the way non-Indigenous people perceive and interact with Indigenous peoples—all still quite prevalent in today’s cultural, social and political climate. I think that understanding colonization isn’t just a historical problem—it’s also a key component in grappling with why land acknowledgements are important today. As we move further into the 21st century and place so much emphasis on welcoming recent newcomers to our country, it’s more important than ever to look back and acknowledge the early atrocities that we committed against our … For us, the Land Acknowledgement is more than a political statement, it is an invitation and invocation to appreciate and respect a place that so many of us call home. Spanning generations, acknowledgement of the land is a traditional custom of Indigenous people when welcoming outsiders onto their land and into their homes. The Land Acknowledgement Statement reads: “I (we) wish to acknowledge this land on which the University of Toronto operates. Engineers Canada supports the practices of land acknowledgements in order to: • Raise awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life, for ourselves and meeting participants. • Sign up for The Good News Letter to get more stories like this in your inbox every Saturday. The terms “Land” and “Territorial” are not necessarily interchangeable, and the decision as to their use should A territorial or land acknowledgement is an act of reconciliation that involves making a statement recognizing the traditional territory of the Indigenous … <> Maybe this was during the introduction to an art, sporting, cultural, academic or civic event, or at one of the 160 Toronto bus shelters that now ask transit users to think about who first lived on the land they’re commuting across. Stumbling over some words just isn’t enough—Indigenous programming and leadership should also be consistently reflected throughout the event, workshop or curriculum. • Acknowledge our presence on the land as visitors and as a part of colonial history. We 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. So, here’s what you need to know. Stop talking. It can be a subtle way to recognize the history of colonialism and a … The labels are published in English, French and Inuktitut or Anishinaabemowin, the latter of which is the language of the land the AGO occupies. ",#(7),01444'9=82. All we’re asking you to do is to remember, and remember with us. endobj We know that Columbus did not discover the Americas, nor did the other European seafarers who preceded him. <> Keywords: indigenous, aboriginal, first, nations, treaties, land, acknowledgement Created Date: 2/3/2017 1:40:05 PM Perhaps. The Cultural and Indigenous Research in Counselling Psychology (CIRC) lab is committed to supporting the Kanien’kehà:ka and Haudenosaunee Peoples, among other First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Indigenous Peoples globally. Sometimes a verbal announcement wasn’t even necessary, as clan and territorial signifiers were present by way of dress, types of hides, tattoos and art weaved into all forms of aesthetics. Across the country, territorial or land acknowledgments have become a common practice. The terms “land” and “territory” are not necessarily interchangeable and use will depend on where you are as well as the Indigenous you are acknowledging. On land acknowledgments, some Indigenous advocates are ambivalent | Globalnews.ca Canada's growing embrace of Indigenous land acknowledgments appears to … It’s not so much about focusing on the omission of belonging, and all of us having a right to a home, but rather about introducing non-Indigenous people to this land’s accurate confederate history and the importance of relationship to land despite the dominant worldview of owning the land. As Indigenous land acknowledgments become the norm, critics question whether the gesture has lost its meaning (Globe and Mail) Traditional Land Acknowledgements: More than Just a Gesture (Law Society of Manitoba) Canada's Impossible Acknowledgement (The New Yorker) Unceded Territory (Megaphone) English Department Land Acknowledgment (UWinnipeg) way. 4 0 obj endstream Ontario is covered by 46 treaties and other agreements, such as land purchases by the Crown signed between 1781 and 1930. That’s the goal for all of us, as professionals and community members, especially if we are in positions of power to create change and understanding. Land acknowledgements aren’t about placing blame, and not all Indigenous peoples agree on their efficacy or even on how they should be done—especially when they are sloppy, done without Indigenous consultation or don’t reflect actual Indigenous inclusion and representation within organizations as a whole. She describes a surface approach of political correctness: checking off a box without really investing in learning what the motive or mandate requires, or its historical relevance. That’s understandable—we can’t know what we weren’t taught, right? The Land Acknowledgement . 9 0 obj The following document lists which members work and offers the territorial acknowledgement appropriate for each local region. For thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. I’m still on the fence. “If it isn’t stated everywhere, all the time, people can continue to ignore its existence.”. Trans Canada Trail (TCT) knows that land acknowledgement is an essential act of reconciliation and relationship building with Indigenous peoples. Public acknowledgement of the traditional territory upon which we all live is an important step toward reconciliation. endobj Making a land acknowledgment is a small but important first step in the reconciliation process between Canada’s Indigenous people and those who came later. While acknowledging territory is very welcome, it is only a small part of cultivating strong relationships with the First Peoples of Canada. But maybe you don’t totally understand why land acknowledgements are so important. “They’re a starting place to a change in how the land is seen and talked about,” she says. This document from the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) provides recommended land acknowledgement templates for institutions where its members work, organized by province. The United Church of Canada Subject: A brief guide to help congregations and bodies of the church incorporate an Acknowledgement fo Territory into their gatherings. At Western, our Land Acknowledgement strives to rise above mere words and instead seeks to inspire action and commitment towards recognizing and furthering our relationships with Indigenous communities. Traditional land acknowledgement statements are increasingly being used in Canada by governments, schools, post-secondary institutions, non-governmental organizations, and other civil institutions as a practice of reconciliation aimed at recognizing the traditional or treaty territories of Indigenous peoples. This acknowledgement can be made before a class presentation, conference, or event, but can also be made in a written document or on a website. In addition to normal employment and family obligations, Indigenous people are working to heal their traumas, learn … McLean Centre for Indigenous & Canadian Art. ��\gϹ̖��@f��n�s��T�|�f��&�[��K��,�y��}��P�g8_t[��,�t4h:ǎK�}w�"�Ο��(!��[��a&Fh��6�!u�CDI�gE�@��q��ݛ�'é�cD��I��S*��W��r�%��R J�-*7A0F1N��d�A�� ʾ��9��m�_|�� If you are someone who is looking to dig deeper into how to use the Land Acknowledgement in this way, we recommend that you start by knowing your positionality. 8 0 obj Consult Queen's Four Directions Acknowledgement of Territory for a statement of the purpose of the acknowledgement and what to include. Generations of Canadians have been affected—not just the oppressed. The City of Toronto acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. 5 0 obj This is often done at the beginning of ceremonies, lectures, or any public event. <> Be mindful of the thoughts that go through your head when you hear or see a land acknowledgement. According to Anishinaabe-kwe Wanda Nanibush, the first curator of Indigenous art at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), land acknowledgements have one goal, regardless of format: They commemorate Indigenous peoples’ principal kinship to the land—and the fact that we have not and cannot be erased from her, our collective first mother. endobj Build real, authentic relationships with Indigenous people. Other peers and community members I’ve talked to about land acknowledgements say that many of them are very obviously less about accuracy and more about doing something in the name of “reconciliation” without doing anything else. . endobj A land acknowledgement or territorial acknowledgement is a formal statement, often spoken at the beginning of a public event, that it is taking place on land originally inhabited by or belonging to indigenous people.. • Share this story with your friends and family! 3 0 obj �� JFIF � � �� C What is a land acknowledgement? Treaties are the legally binding <> And holding one another accountable when it comes to self-reflection can seem like a tall order, too. Be honest with yourself about your first reactions and the commentary that ensues when we hear a land acknowledgement with our peers, or when your kids talk about hearing them at school. endobj And we’re still here, in spite of intense and prolonged attempts by church and state to assimilate and colonize Indigenous peoples into white/Eurocentric society. Territory acknowledgement is a way that people insert an awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life. <> %�� • Beyond territorial acknowledgements (âpihtawikosisân), • Canadian Association of University Teachers: Guide to Acknowledging 6 0 obj %PDF-1.7 They also help Canadians recognize and respect Indigenous peoples’ inherent kinship beliefs when it comes to the land, especially since those beliefs were restricted for so long. McLean Centre for Indigenous & Canadian Art, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, attempted genocide of Indigenous peoples in Canada, control the Indigenous family unit, resources and access to services, Canadian Association of University Teachers: Guide to Acknowledging, Land acknowledgements are a good first step, but there’s a lot more work to be done, Beyond 94: Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, Tide is turning on Canada’s relationship with Indigenous people, Canada’s #Next150 Years Will Start With A Territory Acknowledgement, Why our kids need to learn about residential schools. It testifies to their presence, both historical and current, and ensures a sharing of knowledge between current and future generations. To acknowledge the traditional territory is to recognize its longer history, reaching beyond colonization and the establishment of European colonies, as well as its significance for the Indigenous peoples who lived and continue to live upon this territory, and whose practices and spiritualities were tied to the land and continue to develop in relationship to the land and its other inhabitants today. Indigenous writer Selena Mills illustrates the importance of land acknowledgements—and shares perspectives about this newly popular form of reconciliation. 1 0 obj endobj The National Ballet of Canada acknowledges our creative home on the sacred and traditional territories of the Anishinabek, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat. “It’s important for our audiences to grapple with the idea of the inherent right to land that First Peoples actually hold,” Nanibush says. endobj These introductions weren’t labelled as land acknowledgements—it was just how we carried and presented ourselves when gathering for governance and ceremony. <> Indigenous Land Acknowledgement. Land Acknowledgement Bot is an SMS and Facebook Messenger bot leveraging data from Canadian not-for-profit, Native Land, who ask that people use the data carefully because confirmation by nations is pending and they are updating data weekly. . The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final report calls for 94 actions toward restoring a balanced relationship between Indigenous peoples and settler communities in this country. Today, some Indigenous peoples might introduce themselves in their language and claim the land they are from, along with their name. We can effect real change by pushing ourselves to engage in conversations with each other. But the NCTR’s recommendations help provide a solid framework for reconciliation for the injustices that have been carried out against Indigenous communities: broken treaty relationships, residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and continued attempts by government (federal, provincial and territorial) and religious groups to control the Indigenous family unit, resources and access to services.