Land Acknowledgement Toolkit

About the land acknowledgement development process

Reconciliation takes many forms. Action taken to develop a land acknowledgement you’re your organization is in itself an act of reconciliation. As Canadians, we are all on a journey to learn about our shared history, to act today, and to contribute to a charting a new path forward – one that is rooted in mutual understanding, mutual respect, and is mutually beneficial.

As our commitments and actions to advancing reconciliation come to life, acknowledgement of land and people will take many forms. Richmond Hill Public Library will grow to be a recognized hub that celebrates all members of the Richmond Hill community and honours the unique contributions of the Mississaugas, the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaune, and the Huron-Wendat for the enrichments that shaped it to be what it is today.

This provides a starting point for further discussion and dialogue about the dynamic meaning of land acknowledgements and how these will continue to evolve as we grow together.

Why acknowledge the land

Land acknowledgements bring recognition and respect to Indigenous Peoples as the original and long-time stewards of a particular region or territory. They provide a way to honour the Indigenous Nations and their citizens who have lived on the land since time immemorial.

Education. They provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the history of the lands in which they are situated, as well as the rich contributions made by generations of Indigenous Peoples.
Reflection. They cause reflection for those in attendance, to consider their own relationships to the land and their responsibilities as citizens.
History. They provide a mechanism by which people can acknowledge the darker shades of our shared history, as well as bring awareness to the events that led to the present day.
Sovereignty. Land acknowledgements honour the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous Nations and their rights to their traditional territories.
Presence. They confirm the past and ongoing contributions and presence of Indigenous Peoples in the region.
Relationships. They can serve as a demonstration of respect for the Indigenous Nations of the area and can serve as an avenue to initiate new relationships with the Indigenous communities within that territory.

When land acknowledgements should take place

Land acknowledgements are statements that recognize the territories of Indigenous inhabitants of a specific geographical location. They are a small but significant gesture to show respect for the Indigenous peoples of that place, and their history and ongoing contributions. While a land acknowledgement can be expressed anywhere, at any time, by anyone, it is to be noted that they should be expressed during the following occasions:

Public events: At the very outset of any public event, ceremony, meeting, or gathering, consider opening with a land acknowledgement.
Educational and learning environment: Schools, colleges, universities, and community hubs like libraries are recognized centres of knowledge and can integrate land acknowledgements into their daily morning announcements, graduation ceremonies, and other events.
Cultural Venues: Museums, theaters, galleries, community centres, and other cultural spaces can incorporate land acknowledgements into their programs, exhibitions, or performances.
Public Land and Parks: Plaques, signs, or statues in parks, on trails, or other public lands can provide information about the Indigenous history and current presence in the area.
Publications and Media: Books, research papers, or documentaries about a specific region can include a land acknowledgement in their introductions or forewords.
Digital Platforms: Websites can include a land acknowledgement on their landing page or within its drop-down menu.
Business Meetings: Places of business and work can integrate land acknowledgements into their internal and/or external meetings, whether they are in-person or virtual, and can also include brief land acknowledgement in emails.

The right person to deliver a land acknowledgement

A land acknowledgement is typically delivered by the person who is hosting, leading, or facilitating an event, gathering, or meeting. The purpose is to recognize and pay respects to the Indigenous peoples who have traditionally inhabited and cared for that land. It's a way to acknowledge the history, culture, and importance of the Indigenous communities that came before and are still present today.

It is also appropriate, depending on the nature of the event, to invite a local Knowledge Keeper or Elder to deliver a welcoming prayer and remarks on the history of the territory based on the knowledge that has been passed down to them. In this scenario, it would still be appropriate for the host to share a land acknowledgement as they open the event before they invite the Knowledge Keeper or Elder to the front of the room and explain to the room that they have been invited to do a welcoming prayer and/or share remarks as to the history of the place.

Finally, the event host leading the land acknowledgement may choose to add a personal
reflection to make it more meaningful.

How to prepare and deliver a land acknowledgement

Land acknowledgements should be approached thoughtfully and sincerely. These should not be uniform and should consider the following:

Research. Understand the history of the territory in which you are situated, learn if there were any Treaties signed between the Crown and Indigenous Nations of that territory, and whether there were other non-Treaty Nations that once lived there.
Reflect. Give considerable thought to the importance in acknowledging and showing respect for the true history of a territory and the past and current presence of Indigenous Nations in that territory, and to what reconciliation could look like from your perspective.
More Than Lip Service. While it will be important to reflect the true history and nature of the territory, as history would show, land acknowledgements are an opportunity to express a genuine reflection, to share how steps are being taken to advance reconciliation.
Current Context. Be mindful of the current context of the local Indigenous Nations. If there are events, issues, projects, or any notable moments happening at the time the land acknowledgement is being delivered, consider incorporating these within your acknowledgement – if it is appropriate. This will shift your audience’s reflections from that of Indigenous Nations as being part of our past history, to a recognition of their existence and contributions to the present day.
Engage. Acknowledgements can serve as a stepping stone to deeper engagement with Indigenous communities and can lead to participation in a community’s public events, support for Indigenous-led initiatives, or contribute to causes that support them.
Be Humble. When engaging with people from your local Indigenous communities,engage with them on the history of the territory and land acknowledgements generally. You may learn something that the books have not taught you.

Resources to support your efforts to develop a land acknowledgement

Be curious and seek out information from many sources, understanding that the complete history of any place cannot be found exclusively in books. Indigenous peoples have long had an oral culture where teachings and other important information were passed down through stories, songs, and other expressions. The following sources should be considered, to support your efforts:

Sources from Indigenous experts and Rightsholder sources.

The websites, publicly available materials, and oral histories of the Indigenous communities that are located in or within close proximity to your location and who hold legally recognized rights to the land, as well as those from Indigenous peoples who carry Knowledge and expertise that is honoured by their communities.

As the Rightsholders for the territory, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation offer an abundance of information of the territory that spans the City of Richmond Hill and the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding cities and municipalities. Several Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, young and old, regularly publish content on popular social media and other sites like YouTube to advance public education.

Maps and information websites.

Whose Land is a web-based app co-created and informed by Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth that provides information about Indigenous communities, Indigenous territories, Treaties and agreements, and residential schools across North America.

Institutional websites.

In a commitment to reconciliation, The Canadian Encyclopedia undertook efforts to revise and update Indigenous-related content to ensure legitimacy of source and greater accuracy in quality of information.

Government websites.

Both the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario websites offer information about lands, Treaties, agreements, claims, and other information about First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples and communities.

Academic websites.

The University of Toronto worked with Indigenous professors, students, and Knowledge Keepers to develop a research guide about The Indigenous History of Tkaronto.