Land acknowledgements have become a common practice as a way to honour past, present, and future contributions of Indigenous people.  Northern Youth Services Inc. acknowledges and recognizes the genocide of Indigenous People.  Despite the many atrocities committed, Indigenous communities remain committed to leaving the world better than they found it.

We acknowledge and recognize the forced removal of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples from their land, and I am grateful that despite this, they are still here and making contributions to making the world a better place. “Settler” refers to newcomers to land that was unpopulated.  “Immigrant” refers to people who arrived at a place that was already established. To refer to myself as a “Settler” means that I am discounting Indigenous history and their existence on these lands before colonizers.

Instead, we choose to acknowledge and recognize the traditional territory of the Indigenous people(s), who called the land home long before it was stolen. And acknowledge that, as immigrants on this land, we directly benefit from the on-going process of colonization. We acknowledge and recognize the 400+ year history of communities of people of African descent, who are not settlers, but whose ancestors were forcibly displaced as part of the transatlantic slave trade, brought against their will, and made to work on these lands. Sudbury is located on the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnaabeg, within lands protected by the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.

We acknowledge and respect that we are gathered on the traditional lands of the Anishnaabe People of Turtle Island and proudly recognize our local host Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.  We also recognize the contributions of Wahnapitae First Nation and the Metis Nation of Ontario.

This acknowledgment is a declaration of our commitment and responsibility to reconcile the past, to honour and value our relationship with the Indigenous Peoples, and to respect their significant historic and contemporary contributions to this land. We are committed to reconciliation, partnership, and enhanced understanding. And we are thankful to be able to work, live, and play in these territories.

Miigwetch.