Land Acknowledgement
A land acknowledgement recognizes the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples and is a way to show respect for Indigenous people, their ancestors, and communities.
The Kawartha Wildlife Centre is located in Ennismore, Selwyn Township which is part of Treaty 20 lands. The Rice Lake Purchase (1818) was one of a series of treaties which the Crown negotiated following the end of the War of 1812. It opened up lands to the north of Lake Ontario, encouraging development by European settlers. It was an essential move for the Crown in terms of settlement and military purposes, but the effects on the Indigenous people were far-reaching and largely considered detrimental.
The Mississaugas of the great Anishinaabe nation encompasses a vast area known as southern Ontario, which includes our neighbouring communities from Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Alderville First Nation, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. We recognize them as the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity.
We acknowledge that these words alone are not an act of reconciliation. We are committed as an organization to educating ourselves, and seeking Indigenous voices for advice and guidance in pursuing ways we can act, within our organizations mission, towards reconciliation and seek justice for Indigenous peoples as a result of the harm caused by colonization.