Indigenous Land Acknowledgements

My personal notes on different indigenous land Acknowledgements.

Personal Acknowledgement Consideration

From my walks near Toronto lake shore August 2021.

The Peacemaker’s Canoe was an artwork floating in Toronto’s Harbour Square Park basin designed by Jay Havens. In Haudenosaunee history, a diplomat travelled on a shining canoe to deliver a message of peace to the world through a system of government that saw chiefs and clan mothers working together. More at: Shining canoe at Toronto’s harbourfront inspired by Haudenosaunee story of the Peacemaker | CBC News

French Acknowledgements for different First Nations areas and traditional territories

Source: Guide de reconnaissance des Premières Nations et des territoires traditionnels | ACPPU, see site for acknowledgements in different areas

Centennial College (Toronto) – Nous reconnaissons que nous nous trouvons sur les terres visées par le traité et le territoire de de la Première Nation des Mississaugas de la rivière Credit et nous rendons hommage à leur héritage et à l’héritage de toutes les Premières Nations du Canada, tout comme nous resserrons nos liens avec les communautés que nous desservons et nous bâtissons l’avenir par l’entremise de l’apprentissage et de nos diplômés. Aujourd’hui, le lieu de rassemblement traditionnel de Toronto est encore le foyer de nombreux Autochtones de l’Île aux tortues, et nous sommes reconnaissants de pouvoir travailler dans les collectivités qui ont prospéré sur les terres visées par le traité des Mississaugas. Nous reconnaissons que nous sommes tous visés par les traités et nous acceptons d’assumer notre responsabilité d’honorer toutes nos relations.

Niagara Regions

Source: Niagara Canada Games 2022

Welcome (English) / Bienvenue (French) / Boozhoo/Pooshoo (Anishinaabe)

Niagara Region is situated on treaty land. This land is steeped in the rich history of the First Nations such as the Hatiwendaronk, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. There are many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people from across Turtle Island that live and work in Niagara today. The Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games stands with all Indigenous people, past and present, in promoting the wise stewardship of the lands on which we live.

Ontario general - English

Based on Legal Aid Ontario’s Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that there are many treaties and other agreements that cover the territory now called Ontario. We are thankful to be able to work and live in these territories. We are thankful to the First Nations, Metis and Inuit people who have cared for these territories since time immemorial and who continue to contribute to the strength of Ontario and to all communities across the province.

City of Toronto - English

Source: City of Toronto site, see source for extended acknowledgement

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. The City also acknowledges that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

The City of Toronto has been acknowledging the traditional territory since March 2014. Due to conversations with Indigenous leaders, including the Aboriginal Advisory Committee as part of the 2018 Toronto for All Campaign, the language the City of Toronto uses has evolved. Land Acknowledgment Guidance