The Importance of a First Nations Land Acknowledgement
Recognizing the land shows recognition and respect for Indigenous Peoples, their ancestors, and their communities. A Land Acknowledgement recognizes Indigenous Peoples as stewards of this land. It is important to recognize the significance of the land, as well as understand our place on the path that has brought us to reside on this land.
A Land Acknowledgement also shows respect to the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. A Land Acknowledgement is a way to express gratitude and to recognize the presence of First Nations – in the past, present, and future.
It’s important to continue strengthening the relationships between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Peoples through recognition and respect – an important step in moving forward in the spirit of partnership, collaboration, and reconciliation. It’s also important to continue to improve our knowledge and understanding, as we learn together and envision the possibilities that lie ahead.
Land Acknowledgement
In the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, including the Township of East Hawkesbury, the Town of Hawkesbury, the Township of Champlain, the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet, The Nation Municipality, the Municipality of Casselman, the Township of Russell, and the City of Clarence-Rockland, we respectfully acknowledge the land on which we live and work is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the:
- Anishinaabe* people, including the:
- Omàmìwininìwag/Omàmiwinini (Algonquin) Nation – Down-River People.
We, furthermore, acknowledge that the territory encompasses the traditional and treaty lands of the:
- Haudenosaunee** (Iroquois) people, including the:
- Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk) Nation – People of the Flint.
We acknowledge these lands have deep spiritual and historical connections with these First Nations. We are grateful that Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of this land for a long time and that they share it with us today. We also offer our gratitude to the First Nations for their teachings; may we honour them.
We are grateful for the past, present, and future contributions made by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, both in shaping and strengthening our communities.
Land Acknowledgement at UCPR Meetings
The United Counties of Prescott and Russell present a First Nations Land Acknowledgement statement during each Council and committee meeting:
“As we gather here today, we respectfully acknowledge the land on which we live and work in Prescott and Russell is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinaabe people, including the Algonquin Nation. We, furthermore, acknowledge that the territory encompasses the traditional and treaty lands of the Haudenosaunee people, including the Mohawk Nation. We gratefully acknowledge these First Nations for their guardianship of this land, and we honour them. We are grateful for the past, present, and future contributions made by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in shaping and strengthening our communities.”
Further Details
*Anishinaabe (Anishinabe/Anishinaabeg/Anishinabeg/Anishnaabeg/Anishinaabek/Anishinabek/ Anishnabek/Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ) – This name covers the Algonquin, Odawa, Potawatomi, Nipissing, Mississaugas, Saulteau, Ojibway, and Oji-Cree Nations.
**Haudenosaunee – Literally “People of the Longhouse”; this name commonly refers to the Six Nation-Iroquois Confederacy and the “Six Nations of the Grand River”, covering the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora Nations.
The United Counties of Prescott and Russell recognize that there could be some preferences for certain names, spellings, and terms, and that these can change. The United Counties of Prescott and Russell’s intention will always be to honour Indigenous Peoples with the names by which they wish to be identified.