Land Acknowledgement
A land acknowledgement is a statement that recognizes the traditional lands of Indigenous peoples prior to colonization. These lands were and continue to be home to unique, diverse, and resilient Indigenous peoples.
Our Land Acknowledgement
OCAS is based in Guelph, Ontario, which is situated on land steeped in rich Indigenous history. As a community, we have a responsibility for the stewardship of the land on which we live and work.
Today, we acknowledge the historic Mississaugas of the Credit, the First Nation people of this territory. It is also recognized that the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples have unique, longstanding, and ongoing relationships with the land and each other and that the Attawandaron people are part of the archaeological record.
As OCAS is a hybrid workforce composed of settlers, immigrants, and those with Indigenous ancestry located across the province, we acknowledge that there are 46 treaties and other agreements that cover the territory now called Ontario. We are thankful to be able to work and live in these territories and offer our gratitude to all those who have cared for these lands since time immemorial.
Learn More
As individuals who work and travel throughout this historical territory, it is vital that we recognize the lands of Indigenous peoples locally, across Turtle Island (North America), and around the world. At OCAS, we encourage employees, partners, and applicants to explore local Indigenous community resources to learn more about how they refer to themselves and their lands.
Resources
- You can find out more about our local land and its Indigenous history by visiting the Mississaugas of the Credit website.
- Discover historical information about the Anishinabek and Haudenosaunee.
- You can learn about traditional Haudenosaunee culture by visiting the Jake Thomas Learning Centre, which is named after the late Jacob “Jake” Thomas, an influential interpreter of Iroquoian culture.
- Native Land Digital provides a global view of Indigenous treaty land.