Land Acknowledgement

What is a land acknowledgement?

A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. 

Why do we recognize the land?

To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on, and a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. It is important to understand the long standing history that has brought you to reside on the land, and to seek to understand your place within that history. Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation. It is also worth noting that acknowledging the land is Indigenous protocol. (taken from: http://www.lspirg.org/knowtheland/)

How was our land acknowledgement developed? 

At BCHS, we have three different Land Acknowledgements for use by BCHS employees, professional staff, volunteers, and patient and families. The BCHS Land Acknowledgements were developed in partnership by Dr. Richard Montour, the Board Indigenous Advisory Committee and the BCHS Board of Directors.

Whose land are we on?

The three land acknowledgements were developed to allow customization for different circumstances. Each individual/meeting chair is invited to choose the land acknowledgement below that is most appropriate for their personal reconciliation journey and the event or meeting in which the land acknowledgement will be shared. 

Land Acknowledgement #1

We acknowledge that the Brant Community Healthcare System is located on lands that have been the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples for 10,000 years.

For the past millennia, the Grand River valley has been the home of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, and Neutral nations, who shared these lands under the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. This pre-contact social and political philosophy called upon people to respect one another and to care for the environment so that future generations would benefit from all that the land provided, despite the cultural differences that existed between nations. This understanding, that all people are to assist one another and work to resolve conflict in the effort to achieve wellness within society, demonstrates that ancient Indigenous thought is more timely than ever.

As an organization we are committed to working together with Indigenous peoples to address health inequities and creating a care environment that is free from discrimination and racism against Indigenous patients, families and staff. We are committed to creating a culturally safe care environment valuing Indigenous healing practices and medicines, promoting cultural competency and creating opportunities for Indigenous health practitioners.

Land Acknowledgement #2

We acknowledge that we are meeting today on land that has been the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples for at least 10,000 years. Today, their descendants - the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga nations – continue to reside in the Grand River region. Several centuries ago, these two groups entered into a social and political agreement known as the Dish with One Spoon wampum, which called upon people to help one another and commit to ensuring that the natural environment would be cared for so that future generations would benefit from what the land provided. This ancient philosophy, based upon mutual respect and a shared responsibility to put aside differences to ensure human and social wellness, are values that the Brant Community Healthcare System will continue to uphold and to strive for when working with Indigenous patients, families, and staff.

 Land Acknowledgement #3

We acknowledge that the Brant Community Healthcare System is located on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations and today is home to many Indigenous people.  This land is governed by the Dish with one spoon covenant between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Confederacy of Ojibway and Allied Nations. This covenant is an agreement to share, work and protect this land together in harmony.

As an organization we are committed to working together with Indigenous peoples to address health inequities and creating a care environment that is free from discrimination and racism against Indigenous patients, families and staff. We are committed to creating a culturally safe care environment valuing Indigenous healing practices and medicines, promoting cultural competency and creating opportunities for Indigenous health practitioners.