Land Acknowledgement
We recognize the enduring relationship between Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories in which we operate
My work with Cave and Coast is fundamentally and artistically inspired by nature and landscapes throughout Turtle Island. As a settler, I have a responsibility, and implore my customers, to reflect upon the lands you are on, understand the ongoing impacts of settler colonialism, learn about the traditional stewards and keepers of the land we are on, what the treaty relationship is, or if it is unceded territory, as one of many steps towards reconciliation.
I would like to acknowledge my presence on the land that has been the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, the Wendat, and the Haudenosaunee peoples since time immemorial, and in 1805, with the signing of the Toronto Purchase (Treaty 13), is now the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit River. The territory falls within the lands protected by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement made between the Haudeosaunee and Anishinaabe and allied nations to peacefully share and care for the lands and resources around the Great Lakes. The word "Toronto" comes from the Mohawk word “Tkaronto,” meaning “the place in the water where the trees are standing,” which is said to refer to the wooden stakes that were used as fishing weirs in the narrows of local river systems by the Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat. Toronto remains home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. It is important to recognize and acknowledge the ongoing fraught relations perpetuated by European settler colonialism - from numerous broken treaties, to capitalist seizure of natural resources that led to the continued struggle of Indigenous peoples to access traditional lands, food and water, to the perpetuation of systemic racism that led to severe inequalities in the healthcare, legal system, and acts of state sanctioned violence and genocide in the form of atrocities such as residential schools. It is imperative to understand that injustices continue to this day and we must continue to educate ourselves, engage in acts of awareness and decolonization, and centre the voices of Indigenous peoples in efforts towards reconciliation.
I am grateful to live and work on these lands that lend inspiration to my artwork. I recognize my continued responsibility to acknowledge the contributions of and become an effective ally to Indigenous stewards of this land, and commit to operate in a way that is sustainable, ethical and work towards reconciliation through actions in my daily life and work.
Resources
Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action
https://nctr.ca/about/history-of-the-trc/trc-website/
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Reports
https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
Four Directions Teachings
http://fourdirectionsteachings.com/index.html
Native Land Digital Interactive Map
Whose Land Treaties & Agreements