In the future, Collingwood’s council meetings and special events will begin with a land acknowledgement.
At the request of council, Dean Collver, director of parks, recreation, and culture for the town, has been working with Glenn Trivett, an Ojibway knowledge keeper and medicine man, and the Wawasayguming Indigenous Arts and Culture Centre to create a statement to recognize and honour the Indigenous presence in Collingwood both past and present.
Council first made the request on June 25, and Collver brought the statement to council at the Sept. 10 meeting.
The initiative is related to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission report in 2015, which encouraged all levels of government to undertake “the formation of a pathway to reconciliation.”
The statement presented by Collver and adopted by council is as follows:
“Today we acknowledge that this event is taking place on the traditional territory of the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island. We are thankful to share in the special spirit of this place, rich in the energy of Mother Earth, our ancestors and the love of all Creation.”
The land acknowledgement will be read out at the opening of each council meeting and other town events. Staff also recommended, and council approved, a plan to implement orientation for incoming council members on the Indigenous presence in the community, the traditions and history of the First People, and the current challenges facing First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canadian communities.
“In this way it is expected that the acknowledgement of traditional lands will continue to hold resonance with council members in the near and distant future,” states the staff report.
Council approved the land acknowledgement and orientation unanimously in a recorded vote. Councillors Mike Edwards and Kevin Lloyd were absent from the meeting.
