An important first step towards reconciliation with Indigenous People.
That’s what Kevin Bonnell, Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Indigenous Initiatives with the City of Stratford is calling the passing of a land acknowledgment in the city.
It was passed by Stratford City Council Monday night and Bonnell says it comes after a couple of months of deep consultation with Indigenous People in the area.
He said they heard their stories and histories and started to build relationships.
The spoken and written acknowledgment will be used by the city for events including meetings, public information sessions, and consultation sessions.
It reads “We acknowledge that Stratford is positioned on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and the Neutral (Attawandaron) Peoples. As we gather, we are reminded that the City of Stratford is situated on treaty land that is steeped in rich Indigenous history and home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples today. We acknowledge that Stratford is situated on land that was shared between the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and the Neutral (Attawandaron) Peoples. We are grateful to have the opportunity to live, work, and play on this land.”
Bonnell says it’s an important first step in acknowledging our past, by recognizing, respecting, and reflecting.
He says the focus will now shift to areas including training in an effort to continue to build relationships.
