Land Acknowledgment

Seasons Centre for Grieving Children and all of us here today recognize that we are on Treaty 16 territory. We humbly and respectfully acknowledge the original caretakers of this Land, the Haudenosaunee, Ojibway/Chippewa, and the Anishinaabeg Peoples, who have been stewards of their traditional territories from the beginning. We also acknowledge that today Barrie is the home of many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples from all across Turtle Island. We recognize and honor their ongoing connections to this Land where we live and work.

As Seasons Centre is an organization that provides grief support in our community, we acknowledge the intergenerational grief and trauma that persists for Indigenous communities with the impact of Residential Schools, the 60’s Scoop, the current overrepresentation of Indigenous children and youth in care, and the ongoing epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirit people. At this time of truth and reconciliation, we understand that colonialism is an ongoing process and that Indigenous peoples’ relationships to the Land are not a thing of the past – they too are ongoing. We are therefore committed to reflecting on our Treaty responsibilities and working towards reconciliation and relationship-building with the peoples of this Land and all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.