A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes our relationship between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.
Acknowledging the land is an Indigenous practice that has been happening for thousands of years. It recognizes and respects the legal and spiritual relationship Indigenous Peoples have with their territories. Today, a land acknowledgement remains a way of recognizing and expressing gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples whose land we reside on.
At the Town of Aurora, we open our public meetings and events with the following Land Acknowledgement. This statement is available to all members of our community to be used as appropriate.
The Town of Aurora acknowledges that the Anishinaabe lands on which we live and work are the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island, as well as many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day. As the closest First Nation community to Aurora, we recognize the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this territory. They are the water protectors and environmental stewards of these lands, and as a municipality we join them in these responsibilities.
We further acknowledge that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 as well as the Williams Treaties of 1923.
A shared understanding of the rich cultural heritage that has existed for centuries, and how our collective past brought us to where we are today, will help us walk together into a better future.
Canada has entered into a period of reconciliation. The federal government’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report of December 2015 contained 94 calls to action to further reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous Peoples. It contains the government’s commitment to a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples based on recognition, rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.
The TRC report has spurred organizations, businesses and provincial and municipal governments across the country to parallel the federal government’s commitment through a variety of initiatives that speak directly to their immediate communities.
The land acknowledgment is our first step to bringing attention and showing respect to the Indigenous Peoples who first lived – and currently live – on the land where we live and work.
Our efforts to reconcile with Canada's Indigenous People doesn’t stop there. We are taking action to educate our employees about the history of Indigenous People and provide training to help lessen the inequities experienced by Indigenous People.
More information about the Treaties Aurora is situated on as well as all Treaties can be found on the Map of Ontario treaties and reserves.
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