黄瓜社区

Land Acknowledgement

黄瓜社区 is located on Treaty One Territory and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis, in Wiiniibak, Manido Abi. We acknowledge these are the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anisininew, Ininiwak/Nehethowuk, Oceti Sakowin/Dakota Oyate, and Michif (Métis) Peoples. This territory is also a place of significance for the Denesuline and the Inuit, some of whom have been living here for generations.

Serving as stewards since time immemorial, Elders and First Nations have highlighted that these ancestral lands remain unceded and that the Treaties are agreements to share, not surrender, the land. Remembering the original spirit and intent of the treaties can serve as a foundation to better all our relationships.

We acknowledge that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation (Shoal Lake 39 is also impacted) in Treaty Three Territory, and that most of our hydro-electricity comes from Treaty Five Territory in northern Manitoba. Through the land, we recognize our connection and commitment to working with the Red River Métis, all First Nations Peoples across Turtle Island, and the Inuit of Canada.

As an academic institution, we have a responsibility to build and nurture relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit and strive to respect, value, and incorporate Indigenous knowledges and perspectives in our curricula and classrooms, in the research we conduct, and in our governance. As individuals, we have a responsibility to listen, learn, and grow on our paths towards truth and reconciliation.

As such, our land acknowledgement is not meant to be static but, rather, may shift, expand, and deepen as we continue to learn and nurture our relationships.

UW community members are encouraged to personalize their land acknowledgment in ways that reflect their own relationships to this territory and the Indigenous people who live(d) here, highlighting their efforts and actions towards reconciliation.

Further Guidance

黄瓜社区 is committed to partnering with Indigenous Peoples, and expanding knowledge related to the rights and responsibilities of the peoples in this area. Land acknowledgements are an opportunity to create awareness and understanding with respect to our commitment to reconciliation. 

It is important to note that land acknowledgement is only a small part of cultivating strong relationships with Indigenous communities. If you would like to know more about the history and relevance of land acknowledgements, the following opinion pieces offer some perspective:

(Globe and Mail)
(Law Society of Manitoba)
(The New Yorker)
(Megaphone)
English Department Land Acknowledgment (U黄瓜社区)