Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe peoples, including the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. This land is covered by Treaty 18, also known as the Lake Simcoe-Nottawasaga Treaty of 1818, and has been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial.

We recognize that this treaty was entered into under circumstances shaped by differing worldviews and understandings of land, and that its impacts continue to be felt today. For the Anishinaabe, the land is not a commodity but a living relationship - one rooted in responsibility, respect, and reciprocity. We honour their enduring stewardship of this land, water, and all living beings.

We also acknowledge the resilience and strength of First Nations communities who continue to maintain their cultural traditions, languages, and rights, despite the ongoing impacts of colonization. Their knowledge, leadership, and connection to the land remain vital to the well-being of this region and to our shared future.

As we live, work, and gather here, we commit to learning from Indigenous perspectives, supporting meaningful reconciliation, and building respectful relationships with the First Nations whose lands we share. We offer this acknowledgement as a step toward greater awareness, responsibility, and respect.