Indigenous Acknowledgement

We are learning about the rich and complex histories of local Indigenous Peoples and are working to refine how our organization can better understand and acknowledge Indigenous Peoples, Nations and cultures that continue to contribute to this area.

Municipality of South Huron Land Acknowledgement Statement

As we gather, we are reminded that the Municipality of South Huron is situated on Treaty 29 land that is steeped in rich indigenous history and home to First Nations, Inuit and Métis people today.

As a Community, we have a responsibility to honour and respect this territory’s significance for the Indigenous Peoples who lived, and continue to live, upon it and whose practices and spiritualities were tied to the land and continue to develop in relationship to the territory and its other inhabitants today.

In the spirit of reconciliation and truth, we acknowledge the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Peoples on whose traditional territory we are meeting. 

Background

Why is a Land Acknowledgement important? A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. A land acknowledgment is a reflection process in which you build mindfulness and intention walking into whatever gathering you are having.

When do we use a Land Acknowledgement? Land Acknowledgement’s are used at the beginning of events, meetings, lectures and other public events.

Why do we recognize the land? To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on, and a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. 

Whose land are we on? We acknowledge that South Huron reside on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee. Treaty 29, or the Huron Tract Purchase, was signed on July 10, 1827, by representatives of the Crown and certain Anishinaabe Peoples. As part of the sharing of land and resources, the agreement also included health care, money, and education. The Anishinaabe and the Haudenosaunee, who migrated north to Huron and Perth counties, also had an existing Treaty, the Dish With One Spoon (or Beaver Bowl). This Treaty was made to acknowledge the sharing of resources and to “take only what is needed” to ensure there is enough left for the next 7 generations. The recording of these treaties were captured in the Two Row Wampum belt. The two purple lines surrounded by white symbolize how each culture will co-exist side by side, each respecting the other. 

Pronunciation: 

• Anishinaabe (pronounced Ah-nish-nah-bay) 
• Haudenosaunee (pronounced Ho-deh-no-show-nee) 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30th)

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Call to Action Number 80, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-5 to make September 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a federal statutory holiday “to honour survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”. This day also coincides with National Orange Shirt Day and affirms the commitment to Every Child Matters.

September 25- September 30 is Truth and Reconciliation Week. Access resources and opportunities to learn more about TRC.

All of these commemorative days are important steps in the reconciliation process, providing an opportunity to acknowledge systemic racism, recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and to honour their survivors, their families, and communities. 

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation may be difficult, as many continue to reflect, heal and confront traumas. If you require support, the following resources are available:

• Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Hope For Wellness Helpline for Indigenous peoples: 1-855-242-3310
• Native Youth Crisis Line: 1-877-209-1266
• National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides emotional and crisis referral services at a 24-hour line: 1-866-925-4419

Opportunities to learn more

We have gathered a number of resources to help the community learn about our history and relationships with our Indigenous Communities to further reconciliation within our nation and community:

• View the interactive report card which shows where Canada is on achieving the recommendations in the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Report
• Learn more by viewing the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website
• Learn more about the Treaties in Huron County
• Take the Indigenous Canada Online Course from the University of Alberta (approximately 21 hours to complete)
• Visit Canadian Geographic’s Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada website 
• Access the Indigenous Resource Guide curated by NSCC Libraries
• Learn more about the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
• Community Action Toolkit for Individuals, Communities and Organizations from Reconciliation Canada