We acknowledge that we are meeting on Indigenous land that has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples from the beginning. We're grateful for the opportunity to meet here and we thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land - for thousands of years. Long before today, as we gather here, there have been Indigenous peoples who have been the stewards of this place, in particular, we acknowledge:
 
  • Ottawa – the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people.
  • Kingston – the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee peoples. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties.
  • Montreal: The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtiá:ke commonly known as Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present, and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.
  • Cornwall/New York: territory of the Haudenosaunee  peoples
  • Nunavut: territory of the Inuk peoples
We recognize and deeply appreciate their historic connection to this place. We also recognize the contributions that Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and our province/state and country as a whole. As settlers, this recognition of the contributions and historic importance of Indigenous peoples must also be clearly and overtly connected to our collective commitment to make the promise and the challenge of Truth and Reconciliation real in our communities, and in particular to bring justice for murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls across our country. We would also like to honour and mourn the many children being found at several residential schools across Canada, and those who have yet to be found.