A Promise Broken
The Kitchener Waterloo Multicultural Centre (KWMC) exists on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Chonnonton peoples. This land forms part of the Haldimand Tract which comprises six miles on either side of the Grand River. This land was promised to be protected for the Six Nations of Grand River to maintain their traditional way of life– by the British in the 18th century – in return for their role in the American Revolutionary War of Independence.
Currently, the Six Nations reserve makes up less than 5% of the original territory and this area remains the subject of an ongoing land claim. We recognize that the Canada has been complicit in a structure of settler colonialism. One of the products of this structure has been the cultural genocide of Indigenous peoples through the Indian Residential School system. We recognize that settlers to this country continue to benefit from the effects of this history and structure.
Reconciliation Begins
As an organization, we are committed to the work of reconciliation between newcomers and Indigenous peoples. We are committed to following the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and enacting the relevant Calls to Action. Amongst the 94 Calls, the final two were specifically aimed at newcomers. Call #94 has been completed while #93 remains in the process of completion. As such we reiterate the following: We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with the national Aboriginal organizations, to revise the information kit for newcomers to Canada and its citizenship test to reflect a more inclusive history of the diverse Aboriginal peoples of Canada, information about the Treaties and the history of residential schools. In the past we have worked on a quilting project that connected newcomers and Indigenous peoples from the surrounding area to share their stories, teachings and history. We have collaborated with the local Indigenous community to create walking tours in Kitchener, lobbied to have a monument put at Victoria Park (to talk about the significance of the land), and have had local Indigenous groups host drumming sessions, talk about their connection to this place, and perform at the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Festival.
Our staff, interpreters and translators participated in Indigenization training that focused on an introduction to Indigenization and foundational knowledge, the legacy of residential schools (including a tour of the Woodland Cultural Centre) Indigenous pedagogy and learning about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Calls to Action.
A New Start
In 2022, we moved into a new building. As another way to further the TRC’s Calls to Actions for newcomers to Canada, we have decided to name the meeting rooms in our new space after the Indigenous nations of this territory. In collaboration with a local Haudenosaunee educator, names chosen are; Tuscarora, Wyandot, Seneca, Oneida, Onondaga, Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Cayuga, Mohawk and Mississauga. Each meeting room will have a plaque with detailed information about each nation so that people can read and learn more about the ongoing history of this place and its people.
We chose Indigenous names in recognition of the importance for newcomers (and settlers who have been here for many generations) to engage with the “truth” that is necessary before reconciliation. We are hoping to encourage our clients, staff, partners, and any visitors to our office to have discussions and ask questions so that we can continue the dialogue and education around history, current issues, and the responsibility to uphold good relations with the Indigenous people of this territory.
Learn More
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National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
The NCTR is a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience will be honoured and kept safe for future generations.
The NCTR was created as part of the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). The TRC was charged to listen to Survivors, their families, communities and others affected by the residential school system and educate Canadians about their experiences. The resulting collection of statements, documents and other materials now forms the sacred heart of the NCTR.
The NCTR Archives and Collections is the foundation for ongoing learning and research. Here, Survivors, their families, educators, researchers, and the public can examine the residential school system more deeply with the goal of fostering reconciliation and healing.
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What is a Land Acknowledgement?
A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.
Why Do We Recognize the Land?
To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on, and a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial. It is important to understand the long standing history that has brought you to reside on the land, and to seek to understand your place within that history. Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation. It is also worth noting that acknowledging the land is Indigenous protocol.
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Indigenous Canada
Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Topics for the 12 lessons include the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions.
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Centre for Indigegogy
Indigegogy is a term coined by Stan Wilson, a Cree Elder and Educator. Indigegogy uses Indigenous knowledge, literature and scholarship and is centred on land-based education. Indigegogy engages Indigenous methodology such as circle work and lifts up traditional teachings, ceremonies and practices. Indigegogy is a decolonizing practice that builds on the resurgence of Indigenous ways of knowing, teaching and learning.
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White Owl Native Ancestry Association
White Owl is dedicated to innovative Indigenous Wholistic practice with a commitment to whole person development within the family and community. The goal for children and youth is to experience belonging and value through relationship-building that encourages self acceptance, self expression, and understanding - a sense of place and belonging. Our Wholistic Practitioners work with individual clients and their families to help them in that process.
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The Healing of the Seven Generations
The Healing of the Seven Generations is healing from the past, where the waters were not calm, the people just cried, where the children became broken and lost. Where the children were stolen from their families. Healing of the Seven Generations is a place that provides calmer waters. Life in the future is spiritual, and healing has taken place, from between the wings of the Creator above for the men, the women, the youth, and the children. Guiding our People from the past, into today, and wholehearted for the future.
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Woodland Cultural Centre
The Woodland Cultural Centre serves to preserve, promote and strengthen Indigenous language, culture, art and history; bringing the story of the Hodinohsho:ni people of the Eastern Woodlands to life through innovative exhibitions and programs.
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Crow Shield Lodge
Our mission is to walk alongside those who are in need of healing. Through Indigenous land-based healing and education we offer connection and belonging to a community dedicated to responsible land stewardship.
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Anishnabeg Outreach
Anishnabeg Outreach has created a self-directed virtual healing system that will help millions of Indigenous peoples internationally heal from the effects of intergenerational trauma.
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Indigenous Learn - Two Row Education Services
Indigenous Education Consultants to collaborate and bridge expertise with reconciliation efforts.
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Willow River Center
Willow River Centre is an open community space for Indigenous and Racialized, Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ youth and grassroots members. People are welcome to drop in during open hours and public events. The centre hosts Elders visits, feasts, arts markets, galleries, workshops, drumming and much more. Come and see for yourself!
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Cedar Spoon Indigenous Catering
Established in 2022, Cedar Spoon is an Indigenous Catering Company aimed at bringing awareness to authentic Indigenous cuisine, while honouring Canada’s roots from a food perspective. We provide clients with the unique opportunity to learn about the traditional pantry used by First Nations through an exclusive menu curated by Chef Destiny Moser and Bingemans Catering
The Neighbours Quilting Project
This community arts project generated a space where people got to know one another by creating their own quilt squares to tell their stories which they shared with each other and the wider community.
We strive to actively build understanding and empathy between new comers to Canada and First Peoples who call KW home. We are aware that both newcomers to Canada and First Peoples who live in the region are very diverse and that many Canadians simply have no idea of the many lived realities, histories, or cultural/social/political circumstances beyond the most rudimentary.
Building this quilt was the first phase of a three-phase project that will encourage conversation and dialogue about what it means to be Indigenous in Canada on Turtle Island (North America) and what it means to be a newcomer to these lands in the process of being settled. While quilting itself, is an art form brought by settlers to Canada, many First Peoples have adapted the practice to represent their cultures. And nothing holds the protection and warmth, both artistically and practically, more than what a hand sewn quilt can.
We look at this project as one small step in a long journey toward reconciliation with First Peoples through creating this collective encounter which is using the nurturing and practical art of sewing to bring people together. There is not a culture on the planet that doesn’t use some form of sewing to create all of the things we need to survive. In fact, the original treaty documents of the Haudensaune Confederacy with the first European Settlers were created through the threading of shell beads on a loom. Subsequently quilters created a new pattern actually called the wampum block pattern.
What we also know, is that newcomers to Canada also bring with them rich histories, cultures, and stories, that are important and need to be heard so everyone can come to a greater understanding of the challenges that are faced when powers beyond our own, remove us from our lands, uproot our lives (sometimes for generations), and what it means to start anew.
This story quilt provided the opportunity for individual community members to create a public record that was both beautiful and informing.
This project was made possible through funding from the Ontario Arts Council and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship.