Land Acknowledgement

Last updated on November 14th, 2019 by SesayArts Magazine

Sesaya and SesayArts Magazine operate on the traditional territory of many nations including the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, Haudenosaunee and the Mississaugas of the Credit River. We acknowledge that Tkaronto, “Where the Trees Meet the Water,” is covered by treaty 13. This territory is the subject of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, a treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas, and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share the territory and protect the land in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect.

In the spirit of reconciliation, we honour Indigenous histories, worldviews and cultures, and acknowledge the enduring presence of First Nations, the Métis Nation, and the Inuit Peoples.

We recognize that the pursuit of truth and reconciliation is ongoing. This land acknowledgement is but one urgent step, and we have more work to do. We are committed to building relationships with Indigenous peoples, the broader community and the environment by educating ourselves and whom we encounter.

We are collaborators and community builders by asking crucial questions, nurturing identity and belonging, and developing creative expression that reflects the complexity and diversity of our community. By staying true to our values and upholding our integrity, we strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment that honours the arts as a genuine means of sustainability, expression and connection for this and future generations.

We deeply appreciate the opportunity to teach and create on this land, and pay our respects to all who have gathered and will gather in this place.

Resources:

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph

Indigenous Canada course by the University of Alberta

Indigenous Worldviews and Education by OISE-UT