Councillors have endorsed an Indigenous Land Acknowledgement Statement for the Township of Clearview.
The unanimous endorsement is the culmination of a six-month process, which began with a request from Christopher Dodd that Clearview develop a land acknowledgement as a path to education, understanding and reconciliation after offensive Indigenous images were put up at Gowan Park in Creemore, prompting the passing of a policy banning the use of Indigenous themes on township property by non-Indigenous organizations.
Council members participated in a workshop on Nov. 25, organized by Cayla Reimer, who works in the clerk’s department and has spearheaded the development of the land acknowledgement. The education session lasted almost three hours and featured two speakers: Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Lakehead University Chair on Truth and Reconciliation and Honourary Witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, who talked about history and the legacy of residential schools, treaties and Crown relations, and Simcoe County District School Board Elementary School Teacher Jennifer Summerfield who gave an overview of Indigenous law and restorative justice.
Wesley-Esquimaux said a land acknowledgement should be about more than acknowledging Indigenous peoples who lived on the land prior to occupation and settlement, and should also be about taking responsibility for the inheritance of the land.
“We all need to take very seriously, and deeply into consideration, the fact that this land is being abused and we are seeing the impact…” she asks, “How do we challenge policy and practice now that is very much a part of this conversation.”
Wesley-Esquimaux also talked about decolonization as a path forward to creating systems that are just and equitable, addressing inequity through education, dialogue, communication, and action.
“In terms of how we get there, well it has a lot to do with our own behaviours and how we as leaders – because all of you who are on this call are leaders – how we conduct ourselves in the face of understanding and working toward creating equitable distributions of jobs, housing, and everything else for people of colour,” she said.
She said opening the gates to Indigenous people is a really important part of “Indigenizing the conversation,” the process of creating a supportive and comfortable space inside institutions within which Indigenous peoples can succeed.
Clearview council has endorsed the following land acknowledgement: “I would like to begin our meeting/event/gathering by recognizing the First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples of Canada as traditional stewards and caretakers of the land. We acknowledge that Clearview Township is located within the boundaries of Treaty 18, the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Tionontati, Wendat, and is the home of many First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples as part of an intricate nationhood that reaches across Turtle Island. At this time of truth and reconciliation, we welcome the opportunity to work together towards new understandings and new relationships and ask for guidance in all we do.”
The text will be shared with all township boards and committees but Reimer said the acknowledgement is not meant to be mandatory. It can however be used as a starting point for those who wish to incorporate an acknowledgement into their proceedings. Reimer, who serves as committee coordinator for the township, will be communicating directly with boards and committees. Members will be encouraged to adapt and personalize the statement as they see fit, on a voluntary basis.
To view the entire workshop, visit YouTube.com/c/ClearviewTownshipCA and look for the special council meeting on Nov. 25 entitled Indigenous Land Acknowledgement Session.