The Town of Collingwood has updated the land acknowledgment read out by the mayor or chair at the start of of any council and town committee meeting.
A land acknowledgment is meant to be a reminder of the Indigenous legacy on local lands, which extends beyond colonial presence.
The new land acknowledgment was read for the first time on Monday, June 28 at the start of the council meeting.
The first land acknowledgement officially adopted by council was in September 2018. It was developed with input from Glenn Trivett, an Ojibway knowledge keeper and medicine man, and the Wawasayguming Indigenous Arts and Culture Centre.
“Admittedly that was an error on our part,” said Dean Collver, director of parks, recreation, and culture and the acting executive director of customer and corporate service.
He noted the Indigenous consultants were gracious and helpful in suggesting language and content for the town’s land acknowledgement statement.
“But arguably it’s inappropriate for us to ask Indigenous people to acknowledge themselves,” said Collver.
The latest update is the result of ongoing re-evaluation by town staff that is informed through ongoing consultation, advice and, said Collver, “forming relationships.”
“The reason for the change is to continue to make sure that the intention behind the acknowledgment is fresh and doesn’t become rote – and that we continue to be conscious of new understandings and learning as we consult with our Indigenous community members,” said Collver. “It’s really important that their presence is recognized if we hope to find a way toward truth and reconciliation.”
The town’s updated land acknowledgement is as follows:
For more than 15,000 years the First Nations walked upon, and cared for, the lands we now call home: Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Ojibwe, and many others who cared for their families and communities, the way we now seek to care for ours.
The Town of Collingwood acknowledges the Lake Simcoe-Nottawasaga Treaty of 1818 and respects all of the Nation-to-Nation agreements that have formed relationships with the original inhabitants of Turtle Island; the reality of our shared history; the current contributions of Indigenous people within our community and seeks to continue empowering expressions of pride amongst all of the diverse stakeholders in this area.
We seek to do better, to continue to recognize, learn, and grow, in friendship and community, Nation-to-Nation.
